Jurgen Klopp has joked that Nottingham Forest’s mocking chants towards Darwin Nunez backfired drastically.
Liverpool were playing at the City Ground in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon in a match that looked destined to end 0-0 with neither side able to find the net throughout.
2
Nunez reacted to chants from the Forest fans in emphatic fashionCredit: Getty
With Jurgen Klopp’s side being frustrated, Forest’s supporters could be heard ripping into striker Nunez for his inability to find the back of the net.
They sang: “You’re just a s*** Andy Carroll,” in reference to the former Liverpool and Newcastle striker who struggled to shine during his own time at Anfield between 2011 and 2013.
However those who chanted were soon left with egg on their face as Nunez popped up with the winning goal in the ninth minute of injury time to earn a 1-0 win for Liverpool.
That strike led to Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis storming onto the pitch after Nunez scored in the ninth minute of injury, despite referee Paul Tierney only calling for eight.
The strike from the Uruguayan hitman means that Liverpool will retain top spot in the Premier League for another week, with the Merseysiders four points ahead of Manchester City and five ahead of Arsenal – both of whom are yet to play.
Asked about the chants aimed towards Nunez, Klopp only saw the funny side, saying: “I would not sing a song like that.
“I would try not to wind Darwin up.
“The goal was super deserved for him. They can sing it when Darwin responds like that.”
2
Klopp is a huge fan of Nunez and says that Forest’s chants backfiredCredit: Getty
That strike was the 14th goal scored by Nunez this term, an impressive tally that accompanies his 11 assists that have so far helped Liverpool to keep their quadruple hopes on track.
UFC star Paddy Pimblett believes Darwin Nunez’s link-up play makes him a better fit for Liverpool than Erling Haaland.
The Uruguayan forward has emerged as a huge fan favourite at Anfield since he signed from Benfica in 2022.
4
Nunez has missed various chances for Liverpool despite his current goal tallyCredit: Getty
Nunez has been plagued by inconsistent performances, with the 24-year-old often being accused of wastefulness in front of goal.
However, he has demonstrated his true quality on various occasions, sometimes even in the same matches where he spurns key opportunities.
Speaking of the player on the BOSS Podcast, Liverpool fan and MMA lightweight Pimblett sent a message to fellow supporters, where he said: “We all love him.
“But you know what we do need to stop doing in the ground really, we need to stop going ‘Nunez, Nunez!’ when he misses. It’s encouraging him to just keep doing that.”
He added: “My arl fella [dad] said, ‘Lad, when it clicks with him, he’s just gonna explode, he’s just gonna not stop scoring.’ And he’s right.
“I think as well when he gets the ball, when he has time to think about it, he f***s up, when he’s got like three seconds to think about it.
“When the ball gets into his feet and he has half a second, boom, snapshot, he does well better. He’s more of a reactive player, if he’s got too much time to think about it, his head scrambles.”
Despite this, Pimblett believes that Nunez’s style is far more suited to Liverpool than what Manchester City star Haaland would bring to the side.
4
Nunez has scored 28 goals for Liverpool since he joined from BenficaCredit: Getty
4
Pimblett suggests the forward’s link-up play should be appreciated moreCredit: BOSS Podcast YouTube
4
He also believes Nunez fits better into Liverpool’s team than HaalandCredit: Getty
“His link-up play, that’s the thing I think he doesn’t get appreciated enough for to be honest.
“Obviously, Haaland is an out and out goal scorer, he’s not getting any assists or any build-up play, but Nunez is tracking back.
Liverpool legend Phil Thompson compares Darwin Nunez to Thierry Henry and backs the Reds forward to step in for Mo Salah in the Premier League
“He’s tracking back into his own half and working into his own half, winning the ball back and then getting it up the other end of the pitch.
“It’s the link-up play, I think Nunez fits in our team better than Haaland would just for that reason.”
Nunez has scored 13 goals across all competitions this season, which is just two off his total tally for the previous campaign.
He has also provided more assists in his second year at Liverpool, with 11 coming this time around compared to four last term.
Whilst Nunez is providing the goods for the Reds, Haaland scored an incredible five goals against Luton in the FA Cup to take his overall tally to 27 in all competitions this season.
Darwin Nunez broke a record for the wrong reasons against Chelsea in a game the Liverpool forward somehow failed to score in.
Liverpool made mincemeat of Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night in a 4-1 win but it could have been a bigger scoreline had Nunez had his shooting boots on.
3
Nunez had an eventful night at Anfield against Chelsea after hitting the post four timesCredit: Getty
There was no denying that the Uruguay international was desperate for a goal, hitting shots from all over the pitch in a bid to beat Dorde Petrovic in the Blues net.
He came close on several occasions – so close, in fact, that he hit the post four times.
That is the most times a player has hit the post in a single Premier League match since records began in 2003/04.
In total, the former Benfica star had ten shots – including one that was forced onto the crossbar by Petrovic and nearly struck an OnlyFans model.
But the most disappointing effort would have been his strike from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.
The 24-year-old lashed his effort straight at the post that would have put Liverpool 3-0 up at the time and put the game to bed.
As it happened, the result was already a formality after a dominating display at Anfield with Nunez grabbing an assist in the second-half, a fine cross from the left for Luis Diaz to make it 4-1.
And while some fans might be left perplexed by Nunez’s ability to hit the woodwork, Liverpool supporters love what he brings to the team.
3
Nunez hit the post with his penalty just before half-timeCredit: Getty
3
Nunez loved a shot against Chelsea
One fan wrote on X: “Darwin Nunez can hit the woodwork three times in a single game but then do things like that assist for Luis Diaz.
“He’s energy and fun and maybe we need to stop waiting for him to come truly good. Maybe he’s already him.”
Michael Owen predicts Darwin Nunez could become ‘absolute force’ in the Premier League after Mo Salah leaves Liverpool
Another put on social media: “Nunez so good but so unlucky.”
A third posted: “Darwin Nunez is everything I want a football player to be. I couldn’t care less what he misses the guy is a damn genius. Vintage player in modern times.”
While this fan said: “That Darwin Nunez performance is one of the most confusing footballing displays I’ve seen in my entire life but I absolutely love him.”
And another wrote: “You keep Nunez on for 90 minutes all the time. He just doesn’t stop and he doesn’t let his misses get to him. Absolutely love him the mad b******.”
However, speaking on TNT Sports, Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler was critical of Nunez.
Fowler, referred to by Liverpool fans as ‘God’ with 183 goals at the club, said: “There comes a point when you can’t be classed as a raw player.
“I think Nunez will score goals and will be a handful but I think there comes a point where he will need to be more clinical.”
Liverpool’s resounding win has put them in a strong position at the top of the table, going five points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
They travel to the Emirates for their next match in the Premier League in a match that could give them real momentum to go and clinch the title.
It would be some send-off for Jurgen Klopp, who shocked fans by revealing that he would quit the club at the end of the season last week.
Liverpool fans have been left perplexed as to why the decision to disallow Cody Gakpo’s goal at Burnley wasn’t overturned.
The Reds travel to Turf Moor knowing at least a point would take them to the top of the Premier League, and got off to an electric start through Darwin Nunez’s brilliant goal on six minutes.
3
Nunez appeared to foul Taylor before Gakpo’s goalCredit: @ViktorFagerLFC X
His goal was assisted by Gakpo and the Dutchman thought he had scored for himself later in the first-half.
However, his finish was not allowed to stand as referee Paul Tierney spotted a foul in the build-up.
Nunez was adjudged to have fouled Charlie Taylor inside the area and VAR also took a look, with the goal remaining chalked off.
However, Liverpool fans on social media were angered and one took to X to say: “What’s wrong with the goal?!? Gakpo robbed.”
A third, with laughing emojis, said: “Gakpo should have a goal and two assists in 33 minutes.”
“Why was Gakpo goal disallowed because VAR showed that Nunez didn’t touch the Burnley player,” said a fourth.
The Reds went in at half time 1-0 up having missed a catalogue of chances to double their advantage, including Mohamed Salah’s strike rattling Clarets goalkeeper James Trafford’s crossbar.
3
Gakpo fired a fine strike into the back of the netCredit: @ViktorFagerLFC X
3
Elliott also saw his goal disallowed at Turf Moor
VAR intervened once again at the start of the second-half as Harvey Elliott’s goal was ruled out for a Mohamed Salah offside.
The Premier League continues to live up to its reputation as the best league on the planet in what was yet another hectic Saturday of football.
In the first weekend back after the two-week long international break, the seven matches of the day failed to disappoint.
6
Arsenal beat Brentford to go top of the Premier League tableCredit: Getty
There were 23 goals in total, with there being late winners in three of the matches.
It couldn’t have been a better Saturday for Arsenal, who beat Brentford 1-0 thanks to an 89th minute header from Kai Havertz.
The result saw the Gunners leapfrog Manchester City to become the new league leaders after the Citizens were held to a 1-1 home draw against Liverpool.
As for Chelsea, it was yet another match to forget as they were blown away by a rampant Newcastle team who ran out 4-1 winners at St James’ Park.
West Ham meanwhile came from behind to nick an injury time winner away at Sheffield United, while Brighton edged out Nottingham Forest in a five-goal thriller.
As for Luton and Bournemouth, they picked up crucial wins in their boost to stay up.
Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of takeaways from what was an epic day, here’s what talkSPORT.com learned from Saturday’s action.
6
Alexander-Arnold was the hero for Liverpool as he rescued a point at the EtihadCredit: Getty
Anthony Gordon has to be in England’s Euro 2024 squad
What a season the Newcastle winger is having, with the 22-year-old now boasting five goals and three assists to his name in all competitions.
There were doubts from fans and pundits when he made the move to Tyneside from Everton for an initial fee of £40million at the start of 2023.
But he is finally showing now why he was so highly regarded at Goodison Park, with the forward now a big-game player having scored against Liverpool, Arsenal and now Chelsea this term.
A constant menace for the Magpies against the Blues, he ran Reece James ragged, before the right-back was eventually sent off for a late tackle on the youngster.
With the next international break not due now until March, Gordon knows he has to deliver at every opportunity to try and force his way into Gareth Southgate‘s plans.
But he really should be in the squad already, and can count himself unlucky that he was left out for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
Gordon can offer Southgate what others English left wingers cannot – being able to beat his man.
A player that is quickly becoming one of Newcastle’s star players, no one can argue that Gordon deserves a chance in the Three Lions senior team.
6
Gordon chipped in with a goal and an assist in the 4-1 win over ChelseaCredit: Getty
Darwin Nunez isn’t Liverpool’s answer up top
There can be no doubting the Uruguayan’s obvious talent, and his work rate is nothing short of exceptional.
But the Reds, who signed the striker from Benfica last year for a fee potentially rising to £85m, brought the 24-year-old to Anfield to score goals.
After nine Premier League goals last season, he has just four top-flight strikes this time.
And as is so often the case with Nunez, he failed to have his shooting boots on in what was a disappointing display at the Etihad.
Nunez missed an abundance of chances – hitting the target just once from his four efforts on goal.
If Liverpool truly wish to win a league title in the near future, they may seriously have to consider bringing in another centre-forward.
Nunez struggled away at City as he missed a number of key chances
Thiago Silva’s age catches up with him
A legend of the game, Silva will go down as one of the finest centre-backs of his generation.
Now in his fourth season at Chelsea, the Brazilian has been ever-present under Mauricio Pochettino’s tutelage so far, playing every minute of all 13 league matches.
Such is his importance for the Blues, he has become the club’s oldest outfield player at the age of 39 years and 64 days.
But he struggled against Newcastle, with the defender guilty of a horror error which compatriot Joelinton capitalised on to make it 3-1 for the hosts.
He apologised to the Chelsea fans on social media, and while the supporters will forever love Silva, the time is coming where Pochettino may have to drop him.
It’s now back-to-back games that Chelsea have shipped in four goals, and with Wesley Fofana close to returning following his injury, Silva could be the player that makes way.
6
Silva was guilty of a calamitous mistake in Chelsea’s heavy defeat in TynesideCredit: Getty
Tomas Soucek shining in Declan Rice’s absence
The Czech Republic international has flourished since being deployed in a box-to-box midfield role.
David Moyes often started Soucek in a defensive role to accommodate Rice, but he has been enjoying playing further forward since the England star joined Arsenal in July.
He has six goals to his name already this season in all competitions, with four coming in the Premier League – double his tally from last term.
And just like against Nottingham Forest before the international break, Soucek again popped up with a last-gasp goal to secure the three points for the Hammers.
This time it was away to Burnley, as he expertly volleyed home to lift the east Londoners up to ninth in the table.
With Jarrod Bowed and Michail Antonio out injured, Soucek is taking it upon himself to be West Ham’s gamechanger.
6
Soucek’s stunner earned West Ham all three points at Turf MoorCredit: Getty
Lionel Messi has thrown praise onto Darwin Nunez amid the striker’s superb start to the campaign for both club and country.
And the Liverpool frontman may now be ready to finally challenge Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, one year after he fell short of comparisons between the two.
3
Nunez is bouncing back from a poor season last yearCredit: Getty
Haaland and Nunez meet this afternoon, live on talkSPORT, as the rivals clash for the fourth time since they both arrived in England in the summer of 2022.
The forwards were the Premier League’s big-money deals of that transfer window and they were instantly compared against each other.
However, while Haaland quickly became one of the world’s deadliest goalscorers at Manchester City, Nunez struggled to settle at Liverpool.
The Uruguayan started his first season well but then a red card on his home debut derailed his success, only scoring nine goals during the campaign.
READ MORE ON PREMIER LEAGUE
Compared to his Norweigan counterpart, he was a whopping 27 goals behind, as the Man City superstar broke the top-flight scoring record.
That proved that comparisons between the two may have been premature, even to the point that Jurgen Klopp was hoping Nunez wasn’t looking at what Haaland was achieving.
The Reds boss said last year: “Let me say it like this, I think Darwin Nunez would have scored a couple more goals if he had played in the centre of Man City this season.
“I hope it is not in a process where he compares himself with Erling Haaland. Don’t compare, I hope he is not doing that and doesn’t think about that. I don’t see that.”
3
Nunez has some impressive stats after only six starts
And it seems Nunez hasn’t got caught up on his disappointing first campaign in England.
He has come out of the blocks firing on all cylinders, scoring four goals and providing four assists in 11 games for Liverpool in the Premier League this season.
Haaland does still have more goals and is in fact now one away from becoming the fastest to score 50 in the top-flight, netting 49 goals in only 47 games in total.
But this campaign, he has started double the matches compared to Nunez, meaning the Reds striker having more passes and ball recoveries is extremely impressive.
His impact in all areas of the pitch has seen him become a key player for the Reds, with his incredible speed causing all sorts of issues.
That has led to Nunez getting praise from one of football’s greatest in Messi, who said before Argentina faced Uruguay: “Uruguay are good at rebounding and playing in space on the counter-attack.
“They have excellent players for that like Darwin [Núñez]…”
Nunez’s national teammate and Liverpool legend Luis Suarez has also spoken very highly of him, labelling him ‘one of the best No.9s in the world.’
Nunez in all competitions
Liverpool
Premier League – 4 goals and 4 assists in 11 matches
Carabao Cup – 1 goal in 2 matches
Europa League – 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 matches
Uruguay
Qualifiers: 5 goals and 1 assist in 6 matches
Total
12 goals and 7 assists in 23 matches
3
Nunez is on his way to becoming Klopp’s key manCredit: AFP
His resilience has been nothing short of superb and the way he has bounced back from falling behind Haaland is impressive.
Klopp has also been speaking about Nunez’s contribution to his side so far this season.
“Outstanding! Outstanding!” he said after Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Brentford.
“Everyone can see; look at him how he kept the ball for us, who would of thought that last year?
“That he could do that for us. [The] standout was Darwin because Brentford wanted long balls so he started the pressing.
“[His] work-rate was insane.”
Nunez’s confidence is sky-high and he now seems ready to step up against Haaland.
And there will not be a better time to prove that he is the real deal at the Etihad Stadium.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
An Arsenal star had VAR to thank for masking his egregious error, while a Newcastle midfielder’s ability to play on the edge remains a serious bone of contention.
Elsewhere, Liverpool’s expensive forward continued to misfire but a club legend pointed to another area on the field that the Reds desperately need more help in.
Foxsports.com.au reviews the weekend that was in the latest edition of Premier League Talking Points!
ARSENAL GK ‘ALL OVER THE PLACE’ AS VAR MASKS MAJOR ERROR
Much of the focus from Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle was around VAR.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta raged about it in his post-match interviews, the club backed him up in a stern 112-word statement and fans were left to vent their fury on social media.
But it’s all a happy distraction from a hot topic that’s becoming more of a worry for Arsenal.
With Aaron Ramsdale already established as their first choice goalkeeper, Arteta made the bold move to bring in Brentford’s David Raya on loan with an option to complete a sale for £30 million (AUD$57m).
Although the England international started the first three games, Raya took over in Arsenal’s fifth league game of the season has remained between the sticks since.
Yet the Spaniard has never looked an assured presence and cost Arsenal a goal in their 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
And when Newcastle scored the only goal of the game against the Gunners, Raya was once again called into question.
He was standing in line with his near post once Joe Willock crossed the ball in from just outside the 18-yard box, meaning he was always going to be on the back foot as soon as the cross came in.
David Raya’s starting position for Joe Willock’s cross was questionable. Picture: SuppliedSource: Supplied
Unsurprisingly, Willock’s cross was floated in over the back of Raya’s head as he completely flapped at the cross.
Newcastle’s Joelinton was there at the back post to nod the ball back across goal for Anthony Gordon to smash home.
Luckily for Raya, much of the focus around Newcastle’s goal was whether Willock actually kept the ball in as opposed to the Spaniard’s error.
But he has not escaped all criticism.
“What the controversy should not be allowed to mask, though, was that it was another mistake from the Arsenal goalkeeper, David Raya, who came for and badly missed an attempted punch in the build-up to the goal, which meant Gabriel had to try to intervene to stop Joelinton,” The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards wrote.
“If he had cut out the cross there would have been no danger of conceding from it.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher went even further.
“I’m not sure they have, I don’t think they have. And when you think of vital positions where teams win leagues, it’s [in] both boxes.
“Right now, I’ve said this before, it wasn’t a mistake as in looking to replace Ramsdale. For me, Ramsdale’s not going to win you the league.
“But the guy he’s (Arteta) chosen right now to come in, Raya, is absolutely all over the place.”
Arsenal cop controversial defeat | 01:46
TOON STAR’S RECKLESSNESS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has been a standout figure for the Magpies ever since he joined from Lyon.
But the silky Brazilian was extremely fortunate not to have cost his team by being sent off in the first half of Newcastle’s match against Arsenal.
Guimaraes attempted to snuff out a Ben White pass via a sliding challenge that the latter managed to evade.
In his efforts to continue chasing down the ball, Guimaraes looked to harass Jorginho who also passed the ball away just in time.
However, Guimaraes somehow escaped a red card when he elbowed Jorginho in the side of the head.
Although VAR looked at the incident, they did not deem it worthy of a sending off.
This was not given as a red card. Picture: SuppliedSource: Supplied
Guimaraes had another moment of madness late in the first half when he smashed a ball at Kai Havertz from point-blank range.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice didn’t take kindly to Guimaraes’ actions and went over to confront him, only for the latter to push him in the chest.
Remarkably, Guimaraes was given nothing more than a warning from referee Stuart Atwell.
In fact, the midfielder did not receive a yellow card until the 88th minute when he pushed Fabio Viera in the face.
Arsenal great Perry Groves described Guimaraes’ ability to escape punishment as “amazing.”
“He’s one of those brilliant players on the ball, his passing range is great,” Groves said on talkSPORT.
“We like that player with an edge. He has to probably commit four, five or six fouls before he even gets a yellow card. He’s very, very clever at it.
“The one he got booked for, that wasn’t (a yellow). It was far less than what he did on Jorginho.”
‘I feel SICK’ Arsenal coach unleashes | 01:11
REDS ‘NOT READY TO WIN THE LEAGUE’
For the fourth time in a row, Liverpool failed to win an away game at a newly-promoted team. This time it was a 1-1 draw at Luton Town, with a late goal from Luis Diaz cancelling out Tahith Chong’s opener.
Liverpool’s inability to win against the league’s relatively weaker teams – those who operate on a fraction of the budget of the big-hitters and are in the relegation mix – proves that the Reds aren’t title challengers.
Legendary Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports after the game: “Liverpool are not ready to win the league. Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool supporters know that right now.
“They want to get back into the top four.”
It’s a bold claim so early in the season, especially with the team in third and just three points behind Manchester City. But there are clear problems with the team, particularly their vulnerability on the counter-attack and their failure to convert chances up top – especially their first-choice striker Darwin Nunez.
Nunez had nine shots at Luton without scoring, with a second-half miss from close range extremely poor.
Never the most clinical striker in his 18 months in the league, the Uruguayan has been vastly improved this season but still lacks a first-class finishing touch.
Klopp APOPLECTIC after horror miss | 00:40
Carragher said: “He’s dangerous, he’s a handful, he’s never going to be the most clinical … But he just got to stop the memes on social media and people looking at the big chances that he misses. He’s got to be more clinical in those situations.”
And for all Liverpool’s attacking woes – credit must also go to Luton’s defence – there remain other issues across the park.
A more dangerous attacking rival could have punished Liverpool’s open defence in transition.
“Liverpool still aren’t as good as Man City at stopping counter-attacks,” the ex-Red said.
“Liverpool are a team who dominate possession, they have a lot of the ball, but they’re not quite as good as Man City off the ball so there are more turnovers and they lose the ball.
“Opponents do seem to find spaces a lot more to and attack and get in behind Liverpool. Luton didn’t have the quality to really punish them, except for the goal we saw.”
New signing Alexis MacAllister is sensational on the ball but doesn’t provide elite cover in front of the defensive line to shut down counter-attacks, while the defensive frailties of star fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold have been a major point of contention for multiple seasons.
So while Darwin Nunez must be more clinical in front of goal, for Liverpool to stand atop the Premier League podium again, Liverpool might need to bolster their issues further back the park first.
Carragher said: “In terms of challenging again, I think they need a holding midfielder and a top-class defender.”
Darwin Nunez missed a golden chance to score for Liverpool. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
WORRYING TREND EMERGES FOR DARK HORSES
Prior to their fixture against Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa had a chance to go clear into third place with a win at the City Ground.
Many would have expected Unai Emery’s side to pick up three points, too.
After all, they had rightly earned plenty of praise for their free-flowing football that had scored 26 goals this season, an equal-first figure in the Premier League ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.
But 90 minutes later and Villa remained in fifth as Forest secured a deserved 2-0 win at home.
“We took this match as a challenge to get into the top four teams, we didn’t achieve it and there is still work to do,” Emery said.
Result aside, the defeat to Forest continues an alarming trend Villa must buck at some stage this season if they are to turn their Champions League dreams into reality.
Of the four games the Midlands side have not won this season, all four have come away from home.
Granted, they beat Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge and Burnley 3-1.
But the inability to beat teams like Forest and Wolves could come back to bite them.
A 5-1 opening day defeat away to Newcastle also paints a grim picture, but Villa lost Tyrone Mings to a serious injury in the first half and had a large mental impact on the team.
Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Anfield also proved Villa have a lot to do if they are to truly prove themselves worthy of a Champions League place.
Villa’s next league fixture is against Fulham at Villa Park, followed by a daunting visit to the high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.
There’s no better stage for Emery’s troops to prove they can play away from their home comforts in Birmingham after all.
Luton Town and Liverpool played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road, and we learned plenty about both sides.
Tahith Chong scored a late goal for the Hatters as they came within two minutes of sealing a shock win over the Premier League giants.
9
Chong sent the home fans wildCredit: Getty
9
But Diaz got Liverpool level in what was a poignant momentCredit: Getty
Rob Edwards’ team made things extremely difficult for Liverpool, who appeared to leave their shooting boots behind before Luis Diaz equalised deep into stoppage time.
But the Hatters come away from this one with a huge amount of credit in the bank. So, what did we learn from this Premier League encounter?
Don’t write Luton off
Before the season started, there was talk of Luton struggling to match Derby County’s 11-point-campaign during the 2007/08 season.
And after two pretty bad defeats against Brighton and Chelsea, things did look ominous.
Read more on Premier League
But the Hatters are improving every week, and this was their best display of the campaign.
They were aggressive, committed and limited space for Liverpool to operate in. But when they got the ball back, Luton were brave in possession and exploited right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and the space in behind the Reds’ defence.
The atmosphere was hostile, and if they play like this going forward, they are going to cause plenty of problems and stand a good chance of staying up.
9
Disappointing to not hold on for the win but Edwards has got a good thing going
Diaz defies all odds
Footballers deal with many things on and off the field, but it’s very rare that a player would suffer through a similar situation to what Diaz is experiencing.
His father has been kidnapped by an organised crime gang in his native Colombia, and it’s an ongoing situation.
He could have easily been forgiven for not playing, leaving the country, doing whatever he needed to do.
We now all hope we get good news for Diaz and his family because some things are bigger than football.
9
Diaz was mobbed by his teammates at the end of the game
Barkley rolls back the years
Luton have very little Premier League experience in their team, bar Ross Barkley, Andros Townsend and Tim Krul.
All have played many top-flight games and they are going to need that nous on and off the pitch.
But Barkley is a player who is blessed with technical ability, and he was excellent in the middle of the park.
Everything the hosts did on the ball went through him, and he played a massive role in Luton’s goal as he broke away up the pitch and played a perfect pass into Issa Kabore, who crossed for goalscorer Chong.
But off the ball, he made tackles, interceptions and covered a lot of ground for his team.
9
Ex-Everton star Barkley was everywhere against Liverpool
Nunez continues to baffle
The Uruguayan is one of the most entertaining players in the Premier League if you are a neutral fan because he swings from the sublime to the ridiculous within games.
However, if you support Liverpool, he must frustrate you because he could and possibly should have scored at least three goals here.
The Uruguayan rifled in nine shots, including a strike that hit the woodwork, a close-range header and a shot from four yards that he put over the bar.
9
Nunez was particularly wasteful in front of goalCredit: Getty
So it wasn’t for a lack of trying, but it just wasn’t his night.
Nunez has still massively improved this season and will no doubt keep scoring goals, but some of his misses are truly baffling.
9
Nunez had nine attempts at goal without scoring, which equals the Premier League record for this season
Salah and Szoboszlai struggle
Many Liverpool players were off the boil against Luton, but Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai were particularly poor.
Salah still created chances, but he missed a huge opportunity in the second half and was just not at his usual level.
Szoboszlai has been excellent since signing from RB Leipzig, adding pace, energy and top technique to the Reds’ midfield, but he offered nothing against the Hatters and was hooked off early in the second half.
Both have played an incredible amount of football and even started the midweek Carabao Cup game against Bournemouth, with Salah playing the full 90 minutes and Szoboszlai 76.
9
Salah wasn’t his usual deadly self in front of goalCredit: Getty
9
While Szoboszlai cut an anonymous figureCredit: Getty
So the question Klopp might be pondering now is if he needed to start them in that game and have the sheer amount of fixtures caught up?
With the Europa League up next, it will be fascinating to see what the German decides to do with this pair.
talkSPORT BET Free Bet Offer
Get triple your returns up to £300 on your first bet
T&Cs: 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet max £5 on any sport single within 7 days of registration, at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. If it wins we Triple (x3) your returns, up to a max of £300 paid in Free Bets, expires in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly.
Liverpool were dealt even more bad news after their controversial 2-1 defeat to Tottenham.
The Reds were losers for the first time in 19 games, dating back to last season, and things could have been very different.
4
Gakpo was in pain as soon as his shot hit the netCredit: Getty
4
He hit the deck and then sat out the second halfCredit: Getty
Finishing the game with nine men after two red cards that caused much debate, the PGMOL later apologised for human error which led to Luis Diaz’s opener incorrectly being called offside.
Their scorer on the day, Dutch forward Cody Gakpo, was again a bright spark in an otherwise disappointing match, but signs from after the game weren’t positive.
Gakpo hit the ground after his first half equaliser, and then hobbled towards the touchline before failing to emerge for the second period.
And post-match Reds fans got the update they were hoping to avoid, with reporters present at the game saying the former PSV man had been put in a knee brace.
Manager Jurgen Klopp then revealed the gravity of the situation, saying: “The biggest problem of the game, to be honest… before Cody Gakpo scored, we got a free-kick and he got injured and he is now with a brace limping down the corridor.
“That’s my biggest problem, to be honest, in this moment. We lost two [to red cards] and maybe a third player – really bad, really bad. So, yes, that’s something we have to deal with obviously.”
With three goals already this season, Gakpo has picked up where he left off last campaign, but he could now be set for a spell on the sidelines.
Replacing him in the line up would likely be striker Darwin Nunez, who showed how much he wants to star for Liverpool this season.
An unused substitute in the match after picking up a knock in training, Nunez made his way over to the away end at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium post-match.
Thumping the liver bird on his chest and gesturing at the fans, he received huge cheers from the travelling support, who will be boosted by the positive mentality after a tough defeat.
4
Nunez was pumping his chest at the crowdCredit: @asim_lfc
4
He showed the kind of passion that will give supporters confidence for upcoming gamesCredit: @asim_lfc
talkSPORT football match centre
Keep up-to-date with all the latest Liverpool fixtures and results and live Premier League standings in our new match centre.
