Liverpool narrowly avoided defeat in injury time.

Luis Diaz's equalizer helped Liverpool draw 1-1 with newly promoted Luton Town in the 11th round of the Premier League on the evening of November 5th.

It seemed that with their current high form, Liverpool would easily overwhelm Luton, a team once considered one of the weakest ever to participate in the Premier League and having only earned 5 points from 10 matches. However, in reality, the trip to Kenilworth Road proved more difficult than expected for Jurgen Klopp's team.

Diaz rose high to head the ball home, helping Liverpool secure a hard-fought point away at Luton. Photo: Reuters

The draw meant Liverpool missed the chance to move up to second place. They have 24 points, level with Arsenal but two points behind Tottenham and three points behind Man City. Looking at the match statistics, it's clear that the visitors dominated with 74% possession and 17 shots, six of which were on target. However, in reality, Liverpool's attacks lacked the creativity to break down the multi-layered defense set up by the home team.

In the fifth minute, Nunez dribbled and shot from outside the penalty area, but Kaminski made the save. Shortly after, the Uruguayan striker again showed his lack of composure when his shot hit the crossbar, even though his run to receive a long pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold was arguably Liverpool's best attacking move of the first half.

Chong celebrates with his teammates after scoring the opening goal for Luton. Photo: Prime

But it wasn't just Nunez who missed. In the 21st minute, when presented with a chance in a scramble in the penalty area, Mohamed Salah shot over the bar. Shortly after, Ryan Gravenberch's breakthrough created an opportunity for Diogo Jota to shoot from inside the box, but Kaminski once again made an excellent save.

After the break, Liverpool didn't create many more chances as their opponents defended more effectively. At times, Jurgen Klopp's team had to resort to crosses into the penalty area hoping to get the ball to players with good aerial abilities like Nunez or Jota, but without success.

In the 68th minute, substitute striker Gakpo missed a close-range scoring opportunity. Just two minutes later, Nunez added to his list of unbelievable misses when he shot over the bar from just a few meters away after a cross from Salah.

Diaz lifted his shirt to reveal a message of support for his father after scoring the equalizer. Photo: Reuters

Not only did Luton defend better, but they also counter-attacked more sharply in the second half. Chiedozie Ogbene's dribble past two defenders before creating a one-on-one opportunity for Carlton Morris against Alisson Becker served as a wake-up call for the visitors. Later, from a similar counter-attack but on the right wing, Issa Kabore crossed the ball for Chong to open the scoring.

Liverpool endured a difficult period and created virtually no significant chances in the remaining 15 minutes. But in the fifth minute of added time, out of a total of 10 minutes of injury time, a moment of brilliance from Diaz saved them from defeat. This was a very meaningful goal for the Colombian striker. After scoring, Diaz lifted his shirt to reveal the words "for Dad." Recently, Diaz's parents were kidnapped and rescued in their hometown, causing him great shock.

Next week, Liverpool will travel to Toulouse for a Europa League match before hosting Brentford in Round 12.

Quang Huy

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