The State of Play
Liverpool put on an excellent showing at the weekend as they extended their lead at the top-of-the-table in the Premier League. The Reds hammered Brentford by four goals to one with goals coming from Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo. That victory means they have managed to net 59 times in 25 matches, conceding just 24 goals in the process.
For the sixth time this season, Luton Town once again pushed one of the so-called ‘big six’ all the way as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United. An example of pushing some of the bigger teams in the league all the way came in the reverse fixture between these two when Luton Town led until deep into second-half stoppage-time when Colombian winger Luis Diaz managed to score a dramatic equaliser for Liverpool.
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Team News
Liverpool went into the weekend with some key injury issues as Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai were all absent. Then, inside the first-half, they were dealt two new blows as midfielder Curtis Jones and forward Diogo Jota were substituted with injuries.
Luton Town had no fresh injuries heading into the weekend and were even able to welcome back defender Teden Mengi. Elijah Adebayo had to be replaced in the warm-up so could be unavailable. They will definitely remain without defender Tom Lockyer and midfielder Marvelous Nakamba for this one, though.
Expected Line-ups
Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz
Luton Town: Kaminski; Osho, Mengi, Bell; Kabore, Clark, Lokonga, Barkley, Doughty; Woodrow, Morris
What they Said
In the build-up to Wednesday evening’s game at Anfield, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk praised backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, after his strong showing at Brentford on Saturday. “I always said that he is a world class goalkeeper.”
Rob Edwards was critical of the lack of added time in Luton Town’s defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, suggesting it was because of club size and reputation that only four minutes were added: “Man United are winning so it’s four minutes.”
When and How to Watch
This match will take place at Anfield at 19:30 on Wednesday February 19th but it will not be televised live in the UK. It will also therefore not be able to be streamed in the UK.
Prediction
As mentioned, Luton Town have put up some really stern tests to some of the bigger and better sides in the Premier League, including Liverpool in the reverse fixture. The Reds have some injury concerns but they have only suffered defeats in north London so far this season in the Premier League against both Tottenham and Arsenal. Liverpool are overwhelming favourites for what could be a high-scoring and entertaining contest, given the nature of Luton Town’s matches so far this season which have produced 81 goals.
