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Luton vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, score and reaction after late Luis Diaz goal

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Luis Diaz returned to the Liverpool squad and scored off the bench to secure a 1-1 draw at Luton Town on Sunday.

The Colombian had missed the past few matches after the shocking kidnapping of his parents, but opted to make his comeback - and duly netted deep into stoppage time to seal a point, after Tahith Chong’s late goal looked to have claimed a famous win for the Hatters.

A point apiece keeps Luton in the bottom three and lifts Liverpool to third, ahead of Arsenal.

During the match one fan was removed from the pitch for running on waving a Palestine flag, shortly after Luton had scored their opener.

Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

Luton vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League updates

  • Luton host Liverpool in the Premier League

  • Luis Diaz returns to bench for the Reds

  • REPORT: Luis Diaz scores to secure late point for Liverpool at Luton

Luton Town FC 1 - 1 Liverpool FC

After a week of nightmare headlines, Luis Diaz rewrites his own for Liverpool

19:21 , Karl Matchett

Luis Diaz, it just had to be, didn’t it? The narratives for this game were written, the headlines all but drying on the paper, and the Colombian - who has endured surely the most awful couple of weeks - popped up to write his own new ones.

There were no further updates on the whereabouts or safety of his kidnapped father before the match, but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had made it clear it would be up to the winger to decide when he returned to action. For the Reds, staring at perhaps their most embarassing Premier League defeat since Blackpool under Roy Hodgson, it couldn’t have been more timely.

All that, six minutes into eight of stoppage time and with Luton Town thinking they were closing in on the most famous of scalps, before they ultimately had to settle for a hard-earned point. It was one they certainly deserved, yet also a reminder of how vicious the top flight can be, how fine the margins are and how difficult it will be to take anything, let alone to stay up.

Full report from Karl Matchett at Kenilworth Road:

After a week of nightmare headlines, Luis Diaz rewrites his own for Liverpool

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:37

The full-time whistle blows as Luton and Liverpool share the spoils with a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road. It could have been so much more for Luton, who had to soak up a lot of Liverpool pressure before a swift counter-attack gave them the lead with 10 minutes to play, Kabore flying forwards before curling a delightful cross into the middle for Chong to finish. With an initial eight minutes added on, Luton looked like they were going to hold on. However, in the fifth minute of that added time, Elliott arrowed a delivery to the back post, where Diaz leapt above Kabore before nodding past Kaminski and in, celebrating by lifting up his shirt to reveal a message in support of his missing father back home in Colombia. The full-time whistle was greeted with cheers by the Luton fans, perhaps indicative of the momentum Liverpool were gaining as they looked for a winner, and the Hatters just about held on to secure a point, one that takes them out of the relegation zone and up to 17th. Liverpool move up to third, above Arsenal on goals scored, and they turn their attentions to Europa League action next, travelling to take on Toulouse on Thursday. For Luton, they will look to build on this result when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford next Saturday. That is all we have from Kenilworth Road, so thanks for your company and goodbye!

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:31

FULL-TIME: LUTON TOWN 1-1 LIVERPOOL

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:30

Kabore receives the ball on the right-hand side of the box before firing at goal, but the angle is very tight and Alisson makes a comfortable save.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:28

Liverpool urgently want a winner now, while Luton are hanging on. It is the visiting fans who are audible now, and they are urging their team on to try and find another goal.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:25

Assist Harvey Daniel James Elliott

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:24

Luton currently have the ball high up the pitch, exactly where they need it. The home fans are willing them on to a result, one that is within touching distance.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:21

Kabore is okay to continue, and the game resumes as we move into eight minutes of additional time at the end of this match. Can Liverpool rescue a result?

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:21

Kabore is down after a coming-together with Tsimikas near the corner flag, clutching at his hamstring. He has been brilliant in this game, including his excellent assist for what could be the winner.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:18

Luton have dropped very deep, daring Liverpool to try and break them down. It is a risky tactic considering the quality Klopp boasts in his team.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:17

Luton have scored seven goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Arsenal (eight) have scored more in the Premier League this season. Will another late salvo power the Hatters to victory?

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:16

WIDE! Konate nips in front of Barkley to meet Tsimikas' cross from the left, and his header looks destined for the bottom corner with Kaminski at full stretch. However, the ball flies just past the right post.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:13

THE GOAL STANDS!!! Van Dijk's header does seem to come off Barkley's arm, but the referee decides to award the goal and Luton are 1-0 up!

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:13

Substitution Ryan Jiro Gravenberch Luis Fernando Díaz Marulanda

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:10

Assist Issa Kaboré

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:10

Goal Tahith Jose Girigorio Djorkaef Chong

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:10

KAMINSKI TO THE RESCUE! Gravenberch cuts onto his left foot and tries to catch out the Luton goalkeeper at his near post, but Kaminski is again alert to leap to his left and parry away from danger.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:09

Substitution Chiedozie Somkelechukwu Ogbene Jacob Samuel Brown

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:09

Nunez's nine shots are the joint-most of any player in a Premier League match this season (Marcus Rashford v Brighton and Erling Haaland v West Ham – also nine).

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:08

Liverpool want a penalty as Van Dijk is hauled to the turf by Mengi with a corner coming over from the left, but the referee decides against awarding a spot-kick before a subsequent VAR check confirms his decision.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:05

Nunez has now had an extraordinary nine attempts, hitting the target with three of them. He has been a very busy man.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:04

Substitution Carlton John Morris Elijah Anuoluwapo Oluwaferanmi Oluwatomi Oluwalana Ayomikulehin Adebayo

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:03

HUGE STOP! Salah's perfectly weighted throughball finds Nunez in the Luton box, and he tries to catch out the goalkeeper by shooting early. However, Kaminski is equal to the task and tips over. It is all Liverpool at the moment!

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:02

Alexander-Arnold loops a cross towards the back post for Salah, whose goalwards header is so poor that it ends up falling for Nunez. It seems he cannot miss, but somehow the Uruguay international fires well over the crossbar. It is an incredible miss, but fortunately the flag goes up for offside to somewhat spare his blushes.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

18:00

BIG OPPORTUNITY! Elliott gets down the left before cutting back and floating a cross into the box. It ends up falling to Gakpo, but the ball is just behind the Netherlands international and his acrobatic shot flies wide of the target. He just could not quite get his feet sorted in time.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:57

Gomez's shift at left-back is over, and he trudges off for Tsimikas.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:57

Jota makes way for Gakpo.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:55

Substitution Dominik Szoboszlai Harvey Daniel James Elliott

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:55

CHANCE! Ogvene again causes problems for the Liverpool defence as he makes it into the visitors' box. He tries to cross, and though it is blocked, it falls into the path of Morris. However, Alisson does brilliantly to race out and close the angle, eventually making an important stop to divert behind for a corner.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:54

Liverpool had 69.9 per cent possession over the opening 15 minutes of the second half, though Luton remain level. The longer the score remains 0-0, the more confidence the hosts will have that they can potentially kick on and force a winner.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:52

Kabore stays down for a prolonged period after a thunderous collision with Gomez, who also went tumbling into the advertising boards on the left-hand side. Both appear fine to continue, though.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:51

Substitution Andros Darryl Townsend Tahith Jose Girigorio Djorkaef Chong

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:48

Klopp will be wanting a couple of goals soon to stave off any late nerves, with Luton having scored six of their nine Premier League goals this season in the final 10 minutes of games. Only Arsenal have scored more during that timeframe (seven).

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:46

Kabore whips a dangerous delivery into the Liverpool penalty area, but Alisson is alert to come out of his goal and collect before any lurking Luton attacker can fire home.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:43

Mac Allister goes in the book for cynically wiping out Townsend as the former Everton man looked to launch a counter.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:43

Ogbene cuts in and tries to curl into the far corner, but his effort is very tame and easily saved by Allison, who is yet to really be tested.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:41

Nunez registered six shots in the first half, already more than he has managed in any single match in the Premier League this season.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:40

Liverpool have started this second half brightly, looking to pin back their hosts and find a way through.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:38

Luton have now failed to score a first-half goal in 10 of their 11 games, more often than any other team in the Premier League this season.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:35

The hosts get the ball rolling again for the second half.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:24

Luton have more than held their own, and Edwards will be pleased with how his side have played so far. They have created just 0.17 xG, though, compared to 1.05 for Liverpool, so he will be keen for his team to conjure up more of an attacking threat after the interval.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:22

The half-time whistle blows as Luton and Liverpool head back to the changing rooms with the scoreline goalless. Both have had chances, with Nunez going the closest when he struck the bar after Alexander-Arnold's excellent pass picked him out, while Barkley saw a shot saved by Alisson at the other end. Kaminski made a couple of great stops, including a sublime save to deny Jota and ensure the Hatters got into the break at 0-0.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:20

HALF-TIME: LUTON TOWN 0-0 LIVERPOOL

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:19

Ogbene's pace has been causing big problems for Liverpool, offering a real outlet for the Hatters as they look to relieve some of the pressure they have been under.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:18

There will be two minutes of additional time at the end of this first half.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:16

Yellow Card Marvelous Nakamba

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:13

A cross from the left is deflected to outside the Liverpool box, where Barkley is waiting to let fly. However, his effort is poor and the ball soars over Alisson's crossbar.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:13

Ogbene is fortunate not to receive a booking as a seemingly intentional handball halts a Liverpool counter-attack. The visiting players are incensed.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:10

Luton have failed to score in any of their previous first halves at home in the Premier League, and are seven minutes away from doing so again.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:08

The corner is floated over to the waiting Alexander-Arnold, but his powerful first-time volley is blocked by a crowded penalty area.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:07

The game is paused because Kabore seems to have something in his eye. The right-back goes off to receive more treatment and Luton will have to defend a corner a man down.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:06

BIG SAVE! A brilliant injection of pace from Gravenberch sees him reach the edge of the Luton box, drawing out the defenders and creating the space to feed Jota. The Portugal international pulls the trigger first time, firing towards the bottom corner, though Kaminski gets down to his right and paws it away.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:03

Edwards will be pleased with his team's display to this point, though he will be keen for more of an attacking threat having watched his side manage just one shot on target.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

17:01

Luton are yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet in 10 games this season, the first time they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their opening 10 league games since 2019-20 in the Championship. They have held firm so far here, though.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:58

Nunez has already had five shots, at least four more than any other player on the pitch. His xG (expected goals) of 0.29 is almost double Luton's (0.15).

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:56

Nunez shows a great leap to rise above Kabore and nod Salah's cross goalwards, but he cannot get his header on target and Kaminski watches it go over his crossbar.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:56

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 10 meetings with the Hatters in all competitions (five wins, four draws), going down 3-1 at Kenilworth Road in February 1991.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:53

Szoboszlai's free-kick delivery is headed out by Mengi, but only to the waiting Salah. The winger hits it first time, but his effort is very poor and flies high over the crossbar.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:52

Twenty minutes on the clock at Kenilworth Road, and both teams have certainly had their chances. Nunez went the closest when he struck the woodwork, though the scoreline remains 0-0.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:50

Nunez has now hit the woodwork twice as many times as any other player in the Premier League this season (four).

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:48

Nunez continues to be heavily involved as he again cuts in and fires, though Kaminski is equal to the task as he beats away from danger. That is already Nunez's fourth shot of the game.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:48

Ogbene shows a great burst of pace to get down the left and float a cross over, and Konate can only nod the ball on to Kabore at the back post. The wing-back lets fly, but his effort is poor and soars high into the stands.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:46

OFF THE BAR! Alexander-Arnold picks up the ball out wide and spots Nunez, who has made a superb run in behind the Luton defence. The right-back arrows a delightful pass into the path of the Uruguay international, who brings it down before firing goalwards. However, much to Luton's relief, the ball comes off the top of the woodwork and flies over.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:44

This is the first meeting between Luton and Liverpool in any competition since January 2008, with the Reds winning an FA Cup third-round replay 5-0 at Anfield. Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick in that game.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:41

It has been a very lively opening at Kenilworth Road with both teams looking to get on the front foot. Will Liverpool's superior quality tell?

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:39

Van Dijk comes into this match with 49 away wins and could become just the 16th player to reach 50 Premier League victories on the road with Liverpool.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:38

Much like his goal against Bournemouth in the EFL Cup in midweek, Nunez cuts onto his right foot and tries to curl home from distance, though Kaminski is able to tip wide.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:37

The first attempt of the contest goes to Luton as Barkley fires goalwards from outside of the box, though Alisson gets down well to make a comfortable save.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:36

Perhaps to be expected with the teams' respective positions in the Premier League table, Liverpool have looked the more confident side in these opening exchanges, dominating possession and prying for an opening.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:32

The visitors kick us off and we are underway at a drizzly Kenilworth Road!

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:28

The two teams make their way onto the pitch in front of a vociferous Kenilworth Road crowd.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:28

Jurgen Klopp rung the changes for the 2-1 win over Bournemouth in the EFL Cup in midweek, and his big stars return for this one as the likes of Alisson, Salah and Van Dijk come back into the team, while Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold and Konate also start. Nunez came off the bench to score a stunning winner against the Cherries, and he is rewarded with a start up top for the Reds. Diaz returns on the bench despite his father being kidnapped back in Colombia, an ongoing situation that had seen him miss Liverpool's last two fixtures.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:23

Rob Edwards makes just the one change from his team's last outing, a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa, as Townsend comes in for Brown for his first Luton start having signed for the Hatters as a free agent in October. Doughty has been a key player for Edwards' men this season, coming into the weekend with the second most chances created from set plays (14) behind James Ward-Prowse (16), while only Kieran Trippier (31) had completed more crosses than the Luton man (23).

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:23

SUBS: Ben Doak, Wataru Endo, Caoimhin Kelleher, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Joel Matip, Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:23

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai; Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:15

SUBS: Jayden Luker, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Zack Nelson, Ryan Giles, Tahith Chong, Tim Krul, Elijah Adebayo, Jordan Clark, Jacob Brown.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:11

LUTON TOWN (3-5-2): Thomas Kaminski; Gabriel Osho, Tom Lockyer, Teden Mengi; Issa Kabore, Ross Barkley, Marvelous Nakamba, Andros Townsend, Alfie Doughty; Carlton Morris, Chiedozie Ogbene.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:11

Liverpool have started the campaign superbly, winning seven of their 10 games and taking 23 points from a possible 30 to leave them fourth in the Premier League, four points off leaders Manchester City heading into this game. The Reds were trophyless last term for just the second time in five seasons, but their start to this one has fans optimistic of their chances of claiming silverware come the end of the campaign.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:07

The hosts' return to top-flight football after a 31-year exodus has gotten off to a tricky start, currently in the bottom three having won just one of their 10 games. Much was made of Kenilworth Road and its hostile atmosphere towards away teams, yet the Hatters are yet to win there this season. However, a victory here would take Luton out of the bottom three and up to 17th.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:03

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League clash between Luton Town and Liverpool at Kenilworth Road.

Luton vs Liverpool team news

15:36 , Karl Matchett

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz is back with the team, on the bench after the recent kidnapping of his parents.

Jota, Salah and Nunez start in attack. Meanwhile Joe Gomez starts at left-back.

Luton Town vs Liverpool

15:30

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…

Luton Town vs Liverpool

16:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.