Liverpool misplaced momentum within the Premier League title chase on Sunday as they drew 1-1 with Luton City at Kenilworth Highway. Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez had notable probabilities for the guests within the first half, with Jota‘s one one of the best of the 2, and he ought to have completed higher with after making an attempt to catch the goalkeeper out on the close to submit.
The Hatters offered a constant menace on the counter-attack all through the match, with Chiedozie Ogbene the standout for the house aspect, and he virtually punished Liverpool after getting previous Ibrahima Konaté and Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier than drawing an necessary intervention from Alisson. Jurgen Klopp’s aspect then squandered their finest probability of the second half when Mohamed Salah‘s effort — which could have been a move — discovered Nunez from shut vary, just for the Uruguay worldwide to blaze his effort over the bar.
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Minutes later, Liverpool had been punished as they conceded a harmful counter-attack amid appeals for a handball from Virgil van Dijk‘s header from a nook, and it was Tahith Chong who completed to place Luton one aim forward. The house aspect could not maintain on, although, because the Reds managed to rescue a late level when Harvey Elliott discovered one other one of many second half substitutes in Luis Díaz, who equalised with a well-placed header.
Positives
Regardless of not getting the three factors, Liverpool created greater than sufficient probabilities to win the sport, whereas Ryan Gravenberch additionally produced one among his finest performances since becoming a member of the membership in the summertime.
Negatives
Liverpool’s ending was wasteful general in a match, which in the end allowed Luton to take one thing from the sport. All in all, these are video games the place the Reds should not be dropping factors in the event that they’re trying to compete with Manchester Metropolis within the title race.
Supervisor score
Jurgen Klopp, 7 — The Liverpool supervisor’s system appeared sufficient to create the possibilities required to win the sport, however his aspect wasted their finest alternatives. The Reds additionally appeared higher after the triple substitution, with Luis Diaz, one other late substitute, scoring the equaliser.
Participant rankings (1-10; 10 = finest, gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)
GK Alisson, 6 — Alisson did not have a lot to do within the first half, making an easy save from a shot that got here from distance earlier than Ross Barkley‘s effort was skied over the bar. But he was essential within the second half after Chiedozie Ogbene cruised previous Alexander-Arnold and Konate and had simply the goalkeeper to beat. There was little he might do in regards to the opener after the hosts’ spectacular counter-attack.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 6 — Two harmful balls early-on noticed the England worldwide come near discovering Jota earlier than a late intervention, and the Liverpool vice-captain was concerned once more shortly after with a move for Nunez, who clipped his effort onto the bar. He was pressured to work laborious in defensive phases, with Luton focusing nearly all of their assaults down his aspect.
DF Ibrahima Konate, 5 — One in all his finest moments within the first half noticed him burst out of defence on the ball and carry it into Luton territory, although he conceded a few fouls the place he might have been cleaner together with his tackling.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 7 — One other promising show by which he was faultless in his duels, main together with his composure and confidence when required to cope with defensive conditions.
DF Joe Gomez, 7 — An assured outing from a participant making his first begin at left-back since 2015. He transitioned the ball properly utilizing each ft, and did not enable something of any hazard down his flank.
MF Dominik Szoboszlai, 5 — Issues did not fairly come off for the Hungary worldwide on the day as he could not make an influence, and he was finally substituted within the second half.
MF Alexis Mac Allister, 6 — The Argentina star helped Liverpool set the tone when it got here to sustaining their dominance in possession, and he usually made the proper choice together with his passing to assist progress the ball into extra optimistic areas.
MF Ryan Gravenberch, 7 — The 21-year-old was a daily contributor to a few of Liverpool’s finest attacking play, and he was unfortunate to not get an help when he arrange his aspect’s finest probability of the primary half with an clever run and well-timed move to Diogo Jota. Gravenberch’s efficiency at Kenilworth Highway deserved greater than a draw.
FW Mohamed Salah, 5 — Liverpool’s star winger wasn’t as concerned as a lot as he would have preferred within the first half, together with his solely significant probability skied over the bar. An unusually quiet day general: he appeared higher after Elliott’s introduction, however was left pissed off general.
FW Darwin Nunez, 5 — Had six of Liverpool’s 11 pictures taken within the first half, and got here closest together with his effort that was clipped off the bar from Alexander-Arnold’s move. The Liverpool ahead then missed an enormous probability within the second half from close-range — a second that might have been the turning level with a extra composed end.
FW Diogo Jota, 6 — The Portugal worldwide was shiny within the assault for Liverpool and tried to catch the goalkeeper out with a snapshot in the direction of the close to submit from one of the best probability of the primary half, however it appeared as if an effort in the wrong way would have been unstoppable.
Substitutes
MF Harvey Elliott, 7 (on for Szoboszlai, 67″) — Elliott added power to Liverpool’s aspect and virtually picked up an help instantly with a formidable ball into the field. He then bought the help for Diaz’s equaliser.
FW Cody Gakpo, 6 (on for Jota, 67″) — Gakpo could not get the required energy on his flick from Elliott’s cross inside minutes of being launched.
DF Kostas Tsimikas, 6 (on for Gomez, 67″) — Bought ahead and appeared to get crosses into the field however could not make an influence.
FW Luis Diaz, N/R (on for Gravenberch, 83″) — Launched for Gravenberch within the 83rd minute and scored the equaliser in added time.
