Liverpool 4-1 Luton Town: Player ratings

Liverpool warmed up for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday in the best possible way with a 4-1 win over Luton Town at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Despite controlling the possession and the chance creation, the Reds struggled in the first half and went in at the break a goal down after Chiedozie Ogbene headed in at the back post after Tahith Chong’s shot squeezed through Caoimhin Kelleher’s legs and across the face of goal.

However, the Reds reemerged after the break with renewed energy and blew the Hatters away in a high-intensity 15 minutes during which Virgil van Dijk headed in the equaliser from a corner, and Cody Gakpo gave Jurgen Klopp’s men the lead for the first time with a close-range header of his own.

Luis Diaz, who had spurned a whole host of chances until then, added a third in the 71st minute, tucking the ball away at the near post after beating the defender.

The icing on the cake came in the 90th minute when Harvey Elliott placed the ball into the top corner after it broke to him on the edge of the box.

Here are your player ratings…

Caoimhin Kelleher (GK): 5

Badly misjudged Tahith Chong’s shot which crept through his legs and fell straight to Ogbene to give the Hatters the lead. Played a lovely pass over the top for Luis Diaz within the second minute but, on the whole, his passing wasn’t the best, often chipping the ball into areas that just invited pressure again.

Conor Bradley (RB): 7

Chong profited from some hesitancy between the Northern Irishman and Gravenberch to break through and fire the shot which led to Luton’s opener. However, after a low-key first half, he was everywhere at the start of the second. Had a deflected shot well saved, then his quick throw-in found Mac Allister in space to set up Gakpo for the second. Taken off, hopefully, to save his legs for the big cup final.

Jarell Quansah (CB): 7

Got a good block in on Alfie Doughty when the Reds looked to be caught on the counter-attack. Another accomplished, if unspectacular, performance.

Virgil van Dijk (CB): 8

The captain showed up just when we needed him most with a powerful and commanding header to level the scores. Could have had a second five minutes later from an almost identical move.

Joe Gomez (LB): 8

Was a bit on his heels when Ogbene stole in to head Luton into the lead. However, he made up for it with excellent intensity in the second half to keep his side on the front foot at a key juncture of the game. Went on to show his versatility by switching to right-back after Andrew Robertson’s introduction.

Wataru Endo (DM): 8

Another excellent game from the Japan captain. Controlled his space expertly and almost got a delightful assist for Diaz with a chipped pass over the top.

Alexis Mac Allister (CM): 9

Superb game. Kept the ball ticking over, even when there were few options ahead of him, especially in the first half. After the break, he was the difference, setting up two goals in quick succession: the first, a whipped corner to find Van Dijk for the equaliser, and the second, a beautifully executed cross on the half-volley for Gakpo to flick home.

Ryan Gravenberch (CM): 7

Was often seen orchestrating the press, and, on the ball, offered Liverpool some thrust from the middle. That said, approaching the final third, he sometimes made the wrong choices. Hooked midway through the second half.

Harvey Elliott (RW): 8

Had a busy game, but, like Mac Allister, was often let down by a lack of movement in front of him as he drifted from the right into a makeshift number ten. During the first half in particular, his fellow forwards were often much too narrow against Luton’s three centre-halves, limiting (and complicating) his passing options.

However, his hard work eventually paid off when the ball broke nicely for him to tuck the ball into the top corner for Liverpool’s fourth on his record-equalling 100th appearance.

Cody Gakpo (ST): 8

Clearly had a point to prove today. Was unlucky to see his acrobatic overhead kick early on go straight at the keeper and he continued to power forward from deep with the ball throughout the first half - albeit with no end result. Forced a good low save at his near post from Kaminski early in the second half and got himself on the scoresheet with a flicked header that showcased his sharp reactions.

Luis Diaz (LW): 8

Made a very lively start to the game and ought to have bagged two goals within the first four minutes. With the first, he got the ball stuck between his feet when through on goal, allowing the defenders to get back. For the second, he flashed the ball past the post on his left foot when he ought to have hit the target. On the halfway mark, too, he spurned a chance, failing to make sufficient contact on Endo’s chip. Like the rest of his teammates, he improved after Klopp’s halftime intervention and showed the clinical edge he was missing when he jinked past the defender to score the third. He almost bagged the fourth, too, but Kaminski denied him with a superb save.

Substitutes

Andrew Robertson (Bradley, 65’): 8

Made an immediate impact off the bench with some impressive pressing to win the ball back from a Luton throw and present the ball for Diaz to score the third. The Scotsman was involved in the fourth, too, winning back the ball high, allowing Jayden Danns to latch onto it.

Bobby Clark (Gravenberch, 77’): 7

Showed good aggression and tenacity in the middle of the field.

Jayden Danns (Diaz, 87’): 7

First appearance for the youngster who was involved immediately. It was his through ball for Gakpo that was cut out and led to Elliott’s goal. Put himself about, too. Despite only appearing for a few minutes, he certainly left a mark on the game.

James McConnell (Mac Allister, 87’): N/A

Hardly touched the ball during another cameo for the Academy graduate.