Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-21 22:06:20
A depleted Liverpool squad overcame a first-half deficit to secure a 4-1 victory over Luton and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points. Missing key players such as Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Diogo Jota, the Reds found themselves struggling against a determined Luton side. However, two quick goals from Dutch internationals Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo turned the game around, with Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott sealing the win.
The win sees Jurgen Klopp’s team move four points ahead of Manchester City and five points ahead of Arsenal, although both teams have played a game less. An injury-plagued Liverpool team managed to secure the three points despite the absence of Salah, Jota, and Nunez, who were all injured in their previous match against Brentford. The squad was already missing Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, and Thiago Alcantara due to injuries.
Without their first-choice front three, the responsibility fell on Luis Diaz, who struggled in the first half. Luton capitalized on the situation and took the lead in the 12th minute when Tahith Chong’s shot was parried by the goalkeeper, leading to Chiedozie Ogbene heading in at the far post. Liverpool’s chances in the first half largely fell to Diaz, who missed two good opportunities to score.
However, everything changed in the second half when captain Virgil van Dijk scored from a corner, followed by a goal from Cody Gakpo just two minutes later. Liverpool continued to dominate and eventually sealed the win with goals from Diaz and Elliott. The victory sets the stage for what could be a historic season for Liverpool, with the team gearing up for the League Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.
Despite the challenges faced by injuries and absences, Klopp’s team has shown determination and resilience, which will be crucial as they aim to compete for multiple trophies. The win over Luton demonstrates the depth of Liverpool’s squad and their ability to overcome adversity. As the season progresses, Liverpool will look to build on this victory and continue their pursuit of success in the Premier League and other competitions.
