5 talking points from Liverpool's 4-1 win over Luton Town

Liverpool downed Luton Town at Anfield on Wednesday night to give themselves a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League, winning 4-1 after a difficult first half.

Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, the Reds struggled before the break and entered half time trailing by a goal.

Chiedozie Ogbene headed in at the back post after just 13 minutes after Tahith Chong’s shot squeezed through Caoimhin Kelleher’s legs and across the face of goal.

However, the Reds emerged revitalised after the break, unleashing a burst of high-intensity play that overwhelmed the Hatters. Virgil van Dijk levelled the score with a header from a corner, followed by Cody Gakpo securing the lead with a close-range header.

In the 71st minute, Luis Diaz, who had missed several opportunities earlier, found the net, neatly slotting the ball past the keeper at the near post.

The crowning moment arrived in the 90th minute when Harvey Elliott skillfully placed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box, sealing the victory in style.

Here we run through the talking points of the game.

1) MAC ALLISTER - SIGNING OF THE SEASON?

Liverpool turned this game around with two quickfire goals - each of them supplied by Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentina international brings World Cup-winning pedigree, and on a night when so many other top players were out injured, he took charge in a commanding performance.

His first assist was an on-the-money corner for Virgil van Dijk. His second was a fiercely-hit bouncing cross which was steered home via the forehead of Cody Gakpo.

With hindsight, it’s inconceivable that Alexis came in for a £35m price tag when £100m was being quoted for players like Moises Caicedo.

He was another replaced late in the piece and fully deserved his standing ovation. The 25-year-old is quietly going about his business as one of the Premier League’s signings of the season. 

2) THE CAPTAIN SHOWS THE WAY 

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Liverpool’s captain stood up at the most crucial of times, setting Liverpool up for their second-half onslaught.

Having watched his strikers squander chance after chance before the break, the 32-year-old skipper strode forward and headed in Mac Allister’s corner. It was a momentum-swinging moment from the £75 million man.

Suddenly, having failed to beat Thomas Kaminski until that point, it looked possible. There was a huge breath of relief inside Anfield, with the Kop finding its voice immediately, and the opening goal took the pressure off the Reds’ shoulders.

It was only two minutes later when Cody Gakpo completed the turnaround and Liverpool were set for victory. 

3) BRADLEY SHINES AGAIN

It’s been a rollercoaster 2024 for the 20-year-old full-back. He’s made a first-team breakthrough with the Reds, deputising manfully for Trent Alexander-Arnold when asked to step into the breach, and also dealing with the tragic death of his father.

After a period of mourning, Bradley has re-emerged for Klopp’s side and stood up again when he was needed most on Wednesday night.

It was a difficult first period, with Luton Town having success down his flank for the opening goal, but he was again an unstoppable force in the second half as Liverpool played towards the Kop.

He was popping up in different positions, supplying the attacking impetus in the right-back area with no Trent available, and his quick thinking on a throw-in earned Gakpo the go-ahead goal.

He merited yet another standing ovation from the four corners of the ground and will be kept on ice for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. 

4) TURNING DOUBT INTO BELIEF SINCE 2015

No team has won more points from losing positions this season in the Premier League than Liverpool, with 22. You might have thought Liverpool were dead and buried at half time with Jurgen Klopp pleading with Anfield to keep believing at 1-0 down.

The manager had spoken before the game of needing a European-night atmosphere but there was a sense, when behind, that the fans thought it was all slipping away.

What if we lose here? What if we lose Sunday in the Carabao Cup final? What if none of our players are back for the City game?

All that was required was patience, to end the spiralling and to see how it all turned out.

As it transpired, Liverpool surmounted a tough examination in the first half, in which they did, in fairness, miss a lot of chances, Luis Diaz in particular, and delivered the knockout after the break.

We have got used to this. No matter the circumstances, this team keeps delivering. It’s not over till it’s over.  

5) LIVERPOOL'S DEPUTIES STAND TALL 

Just when it looked like Liverpool’s injury situation couldn’t get any worse, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez missed out against Luton.

The graphics were flying around on social media ahead of the game of a full XI of Red stars currently out injured. The likes of Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were already ruled out and heading into the Luton clash, it appeared that Klopp could only count on three or four “first-choice” names from the outset.

But how well did the stand-ins cope? From Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley in defence, to Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo in attack, Klopp saw once again he can rely on every part of his squad to see the side through.

Elliott marked his 100th Liverpool appearance with a goal, while Gakpo took his season tally to 11, having come in for Nunez in the centre-forward position.

Many questions will be asked of this squad between now and the end of the season. Up to now, they have answered them emphatically.