Liverpool vs Luton: team news, kick-off, referee & TV

Liverpool play their final game before the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday evening when they welcome Luton Town to Anfield in the Premier League. 

The Reds beat Brentford 4-1 on Saturday with an impressive performance at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Manchester City's slip-up against Chelsea boosting Liverpool's Premier League title bid.

However, there were casualties from the weekend, with Jurgen Klopp missing a host of key players ahead of the Hatters' visit on Wednesday night.

With the Reds searching for a first Premier League victory over Luton, here is your guide to their midweek encounter.

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DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE AND VAR

• Date: Wednesday, 21 February 2024

• Kick-off time: 19:30 GMT / 14:30 ET /  11:30 PT

• Stadium: Anfield

• Referee: Andy Madley

• Assistant Referees: Eddie Smart and Nick Hopton

• Fourth Official: Tom Bramall

• VAR: Simon Hooper

• Assistant VAR: Darren Cann

LIVERPOOL VS LUTON HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Liverpool vs Luton is not one of the most played fixtures in English football history, with only 39 meetings between the sides dating back to their first clash with 1920.

The Reds have come out on top in the majority of past encounters, winning 18, drawing 14 and losing just seven of the match-ups.

However, only four meetings have taken place in the 21st century, with three of those coming in the FA Cup.

The Reds won the first 5-3 at Kenilworth Road in 2006 before a 1-1 draw at the same venue two years later, Liverpool winning the replay 5-0 at Anfield thanks to a Steven Gerrard hat-trick.

The most recent and only Premier League clash came in November 2023, with the Reds only managing a 1-1 draw against Rob Edwards' side.

Liverpool needed a 95th-minute equaliser from Luis Diaz to rescue a point earlier in the campaign and will be aiming for victory this Wednesday in the reverse fixture.

WHERE TO WATCH LIVERPOOL VS LUTON ON TV & LIVE STREAM

Unfortunately for Liverpool supporters in the United Kingdom, the midweek battle will not be on TV or live stream. The best option fans have is to listen to the match on Talksport Radio.

In North America, the game will be broadcast on a number of platforms, including USA Network. In Canada, the match will be shown on fuboTV.

Optus Sport will be the destination for fans in Australia, while DAZN and Viaplay are among the broadcasters in Europe.

For those wanting to watch the likes of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister in South America, the game will be televised on Star+.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Well, where do we start here.

Liverpool have an extensive list of absentees for Wednesday's clash with Luton, with a number of players also doubtful for the match.

Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota are the latest Liverpool stars set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring themselves against Brentford. Their return dates are yet to be officially confirmed but they will certainly be absent midweek.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold are nearing returns but will not be available for Wednesday, while Thiago, Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak are also absent.

Alisson also missed last Saturday with a muscle injury, which Klopp described as "not cool", with Liverpool hopeful that the Brazilian is not out for too long.

Mohamed Salah is a doubt for Luton despite scoring and assisting from the bench against Brentford after potentially suffering an injury setback, while Darwin Nunez was also substituted at half-time in west London as an injury precaution.

LUTON TEAM NEWS

The Hatters don't have too many absentees to contend with as they look to pull off an upset at Anfield, but they will still be without influential defensive midfielder Marvelous Nakamba.

Defender Mads Andersen will also be missing, while Tom Lockyer is still recovering from a cardiac arrest last December.

Former Everton duo Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend will be aiming to punish Liverpool after some impressive displays this season.

LIVERPOOL PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool don't have a whole host of options given their current injury crisis and would like to rest a few key players ahead of next Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Chelsea in an ideal world.

Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to play at Wembley but will also retain his place against Luton if Alisson is missing, while Jarell Quansah could also give Ibrahima Konate a rest.

Harvey Elliott may be called upon to replace Salah if he's injured, with Ryan Gravenberch the only real option to replace Jones in midfield.

Cody Gakpo, who scored and assisted from the bench against Brentford, will likely start in place of Nunez.

(4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Gravenberch; Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz. 

LIVERPOOL VS LUTON SCORE PREDICTION

Klopp certainly has some selection dilemmas ahead of Luton's trip to Anfield but the Reds still have more than enough quality to claim all three points.

The Reds don't have too many options in reserve, so will want to make a quick start at Anfield. The crowd will have a big part to play against a spirited Luton side who showed their resilience in the reverse fixture.

Liverpool should get the job done as they continue their push for the Premier League title, although it will be far from straightforward.

Liverpool 2-1 Luton