Liverpool and Luton Town will clash for the second time in the Premier League this side. The first installment between the two sides was entertaining with the Reds needing a late goal to avoid a defeat to the Hatters. Things have not particularly changed between the sides since that first meeting but Jurgen Klopp’s enterprising side seem to have found their mojo and are breezing past oppositions with ease.
Liverpool made a promising start to the season, and as of the time of writing, they currently sit on top of the Premier League with 48 points. During the summer, the team experienced notable departures, primarily to the Saudi Pro League. Former captain Jordan Henderson joined Al-Ettifaq alongside club legend Steven Gerrard, while Roberto Firmino and Fabinho headed to Al-Ahli Saudi and Al-Ittihad, respectively.
Other exits included Naby Keita to Werder Bremen after the expiration of his contract, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain to Besiktas, James Milner to Brighton and Hove Albion, Fabio Carvalho on loan to RB Leipzig, and Arthur Melo, who left at the end of a challenging loan spell. After those exits, Klopp decided to beef up his squad with the signings of Hungarian captain Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, World Cup winner Alexis MacAllister from Brighton and Hove Albion, Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich, and Wataru Endo joining the ranks from the Bundesliga.
The Reds started their Premier League campaign with an entertaining 1-1 draw against Chelsea, followed by five consecutive wins against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Wolves, and West Ham. Notably, Liverpool beat Newcastle with Darwin Nunez pulling up heroics after captain Virgil Van Dijk was sent off early in the game.
The Reds suffered their first defeat of the season in the dramatic loss to Tottenham Hotspur, ending the match with nine men due to red cards for Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota. Subsequent matches included a 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion, victories against Everton, Nottingham Forest, Luton Town, Brentford, Fulham, and Sheffield, and a hard-fought win over Crystal Palace that saw Salah score his 200th goal for the club.
To kick things off in 2024, the Reds have already beaten Bournemouth 4-0 on the road and have booked their place in the Carabao Cup final with Liverpool to come in February. After some years of struggles, it seems things are getting back to normal for the Anfield side.
Luton Town’s season has not been disappointing judging by their standards. However, after a slow start, where they failed to pick a point in any of their first four Premier League games, they have picked themselves up and got a couple of wins under their belt, giving them a chance to fight for survival until the end of the season. Manager Rob Edwards has been trying his best to get his side going as they look to do the impossible at the end of the season.
Notable results for the Hatters include the win over Everton at Goodison Park to clinch their first win of the Premier League campaign before the win over Crystal Palace at home in their first win at home. Around that same time, they also drew with Liverpool at home before going ahead to beat Sheffield United and Newcastle United significantly to improve their fortunes on the Premier League log.
However, they travel to face Liverpool at Anfield, a place several teams have fallen this season, with the huge task of leaving the place without receiving a whitewash. On Liverpool’s part, confidence is currently high and they could go all out and win big in this particular fixture.
Match tickets
The epic match at Anfield in Liverpool kicks off on a date yet to be decided due to the Carabao Cup final between the Reds and Chelsea.
The magnificent 61,276-capacity stadium with its electrifying atmosphere will be ready to host this fixture anytime they eventually decide to let it go ahead.
Getting tickets for the Liverpool vs Luton Town tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Lineups
Liverpool might welcome some players back from their respective injuries. Spanish midfielder Stefan Bajcetic is expected to have recovered from a calf injury, Diogo Jota has already returned to the side after a muscle injury, while Joel Matip is, unfortunately, out for the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.
In midfield, Alexis MacAllister is back, while Thiago Alcantara and Dominik Szoboszlai are expected to be available for the visit of the Hatters. Defender Andy Robertson remains a long-term absentee due to a shoulder injury. Konstantinos Tsimikas is also injured and could be back before this game. Attacking talisman Mohammed Salah should be back from his international assignment with Egypt at the AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Liverpool: Alison Becker, Ibrahim Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Mohammed Salah.
Luton Town also have their injury issues that they are battling with the likes of Marvellous Nakamba out until April, Skipper Thomas Lockyer who had heart-related issues back late last year, and Mads Andersen who could be available before this clash. Burkina Faso’s Issa Kabore should have returned from his participation at the AFCON for this trip.
Luton Town XI: Thomas Kaminski; Issa Kabore, Reece Burke, Tom Lockyer, Amari’i Bell, Ryan Giles; Chong, Albert Lokonga, Ross Barkley; Elijah Adebayo, Carlton Morris.
Prediction
Liverpool’s ghen-ghen pressing and incisive attacking play coupled with the atmosphere that their supporters are sure to create at Anfield is expected to be too much for Luton Town to handle.
If the Reds get into their groove, the Hatters could be beaten by a large scoreline.
Liverpool 3-0 Luton Town
