Review

Diaz's emotional late goal denies Luton historic home win

5 Nov 2023
Luton Town v Liverpool FC - Premier League

Liverpool's Luis Diaz scores added-time equaliser in 1-1 draw and reveals message of support to family

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Luis Diaz scored an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Liverpool denied Luton Town a first home win in the Premier League. 

Tahith Chong's 80th-minute goal had Luton on course for an historic victory but substitute Diaz bundled in a far-post leveller and revealed a message of support to his family following recent reports of his father's kidnapping in Colombia.  

See: Klopp - I gave Diaz a hug as we wait for good news

Diaz's goal was Liverpool's 24th and final shot of a fantastic match, with Darwin Nunez accounting for nine of Liverpool's attempts, the most by any player in a match this season, and somehow missing a big chance from just three yards out.

How the match unfolded

Liverpool started on the front foot, with Nunez having four shots in the first 15 minutes, most notably seeing a long-range shot saved by Thomas Kaminski before striking the bar from inside the box following a terrific long pass by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Luton surrendered possession but were a regular threat on the counter-attack, with Issa Kabore firing over the bar after Chiedoze Ogbene surged away from Alexander-Arnold on the wing.

Mohamed Salah then blazed over himself from a decent position, before Kaminski brilliantly denied Diogo Jota at his near post as the match reached half-time goalless. 

The first chance of the second half fell to Luton. Again, Ogbene beat Alexander-Arnold, running half the length of the pitch and beating another player before his pass ricocheted to Carlton Morris, who was thwarted by Alisson.

Liverpool then had a huge chance to break the deadlock in the 70th minute. Alexander-Arnold served up a huge opportunity for Salah but the Egyptian mistimed his close-range header. It inadvertently went to Nunez, who from just three yards out blazed over the bar.

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The Reds continued to come forward and Kaminski saved from Nunez and Ryan Gravenberch, before Luton struck on the counter-attack.

Ross Barkley led a break from the edge of his own box and passed wide to Kabore, whose brilliant cross found Chong to finish low past Alisson for his first Premier League goal. 

Liverpool threw everything at it in search of an equaliser and were relieved to see eight minutes of stoppage time, which they made count. 

Harvey Elliott crossed to fellow substitute Diaz to head in at the back post and break Luton's resistance. 

It stops Luton from moving two points clear of the relegation zone, but does take them up to 17th place, above AFC Bournemouth on goal difference. 

Liverpool miss the chance to go second but do leapfrog Arsenal into third, with 24 points, three behind leaders Manchester City. They will, however, be six points behind the leaders if Tottenham Hotspur beat Chelsea on Monday. 

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Did you know?

Liverpool have failed to win any of their last four Premier League away matches against promoted sides (D2 L2), their longest away winless run against such opposition since March 2012.

 Darwin Nunez had nine shots in this match. No player has had more in a Premier League match this season. It is the most by a Liverpool player in a Premier League match without scoring since Roberto Firmino v Man Utd in December 2018.

Timed at 94:40, Luis Diaz scored Liverpool’s latest Premier League equaliser since Divock Origi’s strike against West Brom back in December 2015, at 95:24.

Liverpool have conceded the opening goal in five consecutive away Premier League matches for the first time since November 2006.

 Eight of Luis Diaz’s 11 Premier League goals for Liverpool have either drawn Liverpool level or put them one goal ahead. Indeed, the Reds have never lost a Premier League match when he has found the back of the net.

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