Luis Diaz shows Darwin Nunez how it’s done to deny Luton a famous win
Luton Town were minutes away from their first ever Premier League home win.
After recording their first away win in the competition against Everton at the end of September, Luton Town thought they had done the Merseyside double and taken three points at Kenilworth Road for the first time in the Premier League, but it was not to be.
Former Manchester United Young Player of the Year Tahith Chong came off the bench to put the Hatters infront after 80 minutes, as Luton broke from a Liverpool corner and Chong slotted past Alisson in the Liverpool goal after being found by Kaboré to send Kenilworth Road into raptures.
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Rob Edwards’ side looked to see out the game, but Jürgen Klopp had one final ace up his sleeve in Colombian Luis Diaz, who after coming on the 83rd minute, made the desired effect to head Liverpool level five minutes into stoppage time after being expertly found by fellow sub Harvey Elliott.
It has been a horrible time for the forward after his father was kidnapped at gun point in his native Colombia, showing incredible courage to play on for Liverpool while going through such a terrible time in his personal life. It was the first time he had returned to the side since the awful events back home and revealed a message that read “Freedom for Dad” after his late equaliser.
Manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he was eager to be involved today, saying
“It’s still pretty emotional but Luis decided three days ago that he wanted to try training again. I said before, the training ground, football pitch is the safe place for the boys. ‘There he can behave normal, he can forget for a few minutes at least what’s going on but all the signs he gets as far as I understand it are very positive.”
“Negotiations are ongoing but it’s positive and that’s why he wanted to be part of the team. He could come on again, so he trained well. From that point of view there are no issues but nobody can really imagine how something like that feels, but on the training ground was fine, on the pitch was fine, so that’s why he’s here.”
Going on to say “It’s a wonderful moment but it doesn’t change the situation. The most important thing is that his father gets released. It’s wonderful he wanted to be here. For us, it’s a super important goal and for him very important and emotional.”
His late strike means that eight of Luis Díaz’s 11 Premier League goals for Liverpool have either drawn his side level (4) or put them one goal ahead (4), extending his unbeaten run to 10 matches when he has scored for the Reds in the Premier League (W6 D4).
24 – Luis Díaz’s equaliser came from Liverpool’s 24th and final attempt of the game. Timed at 94:40, it was Liverpool’s latest Premier League equaliser since Divock Origi’s strike against West Brom back in December 2015 (95:24). Timely. pic.twitter.com/IesKny8da4
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 5, 2023
His one goal from one shot was a stark contrast to teammate Darwin Nunez, who equalled the Premier League record for most shots in a single match so far this season. The Uruguayan peppered the Luton goal with no luck, failing to find the back of the net with his nine shots, hitting the target three times, hitting the woodwork once and having a higher xG (0.9-0.81) than the entire Luton side combined.
It’s the most by a Liverpool player in a Premier League match without scoring since Roberto Firmino vs Man Utd in December 2018 (also 9 attempts, 0 goals).
