Luton vs Liverpool preview: team news, prediction, TV, kick-off time, referee & VAR

It's Luton vs Liverpool this weekend as the Reds look to continue their good start to the season. Here's what you need to know.

Liverpool picked up another win in midweek, knocking Bournemouth out of the Carabao Cup. Darwin Nunez ultimately did the damage with a sensational dipping strike to win things.

But now it's back to the Premier League and a fixture that's far from common for the Reds. They'll visit Luton Town for the first time in the Premier League era.

Of course, this is one they'll expect to win. Luton are a newly-promoted side and one that has struggled thus far with just five points from their first 10 games.

---

DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE

• Date: Sunday, 5 November 2023

• Kick-off time: 4:30pm GMT

• Stadium: Kenilworth Road

• Referee: Andy Madley

• VAR: Craig Pawson

Head-to-head record

This isn't one with anything relevant to go on, really. These two last met in 2008 through an FA Cup third-round fixture and the subsequent replay. Liverpool did win that replay 5-0 and if you're after a bit of nostalgia, here were the scorers that day: Steven Gerrard (x3), Sami Hyypiä, and Ryan Babel.

We don't imagine any of them are going to feature on Sunday, however, and so this will be a first meeting for the players.

Overall, these two have played against one another 38 times and maybe the most surprising thing about their history is that Liverpool aren't particularly dominant. They've 'only' won 18 of those games - in fact, their record at Kenilworth Road is pretty poor.

Liverpool have won eight of 20, losing seven and drawing five. They've scored 27 across those fixtures, conceding 26. In other words, Luton are historically very competitive at home against the Reds.

Of course, there hasn't actually been a league meeting between the pair since 1992. We won't be too shocked if Liverpool boost their goal numbers significantly on Sunday - that will be the plan, at least.

Where to watch Luton vs Liverpool on TV

Luton Town vs Liverpool will be live on Sky Sports in the UK, following on from Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa.

The USA network has the right in the US, while Fubo will stream it in Canada and OPTUS sport in Australia.

Of course, LFCTV will have a full replay of the match once it's finished, as well as live commentary.

Liverpool Team News

Jurgen Klopp will give an update on Friday but there don't seem to be further worries coming out of the Bournemouth match. Liverpool will almost certainly be missing Luis Diaz, we imagine, while Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago and Andy Robertson are all out.

We do think Klopp offered plenty of hints for his starting XI in the midweek clash, though, and you can see our predicted XI here.

Luton Town Team News

Amari'i Bell, Reece Burke, Dan Potts and Mads Andersen all reportedly remain out for Luton. Albert Sambi Lokonga is also missing after picking up a relatively long-term injury at the start of the campaign.

Prediction

Liverpool are overwhelming favourites to win this one, of course. Luton have struggled since promotion, winning just one of their opening 10 games - at home to Everton at the end of September.

We can't imagine the Reds follow suit on that one. They've been too strong this season and plenty of players got rest on Wednesday, despite a strong starting XI.

So we'll back the Reds for a fairly routine 3-0 win at Kenilworth Road.