Despite having to deal with his father’s kidnapping, the Colombian attacker displayed incredible mental toughness to save his side’s blushes.
Luis Diaz’s heartfelt equalizer at Kenilworth Road gave Liverpool a 1-1 draw against Luton Town, but they had to wait until the very end to win it.
Darwin Nunez had an unforgettable evening that culminated with a missed opportunity to score a goal, as Liverpool were unable to convert 23 tries.
With ten minutes remaining, former Manchester United junior player Tahith Chong completed a brilliant counterattack, giving the impression that Luton had made the visitors pay for their careless finishing.
Luis Diaz was brought on from the bench as a result of that goal, and he showed his manager’s faith by heading in a cross from Harvey Elliott in the fifth minute of injury time. In celebration, he took off his undershirt, which read “Freedom for papa” and made allusion to his father’s captivity in Colombia.
The Kenilworth Road players for Liverpool are rated by GOAL…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Alisson Becker (6/10):
Had a quiet first half but commanded his area well to collect crosses in the second. Could do nothing about Luton goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):
Once again dazzled with passing vision and technique, and was unlucky not to get an assist when Darwin smacked the crossbar after latching onto his superb through ball. Struggled to contain Chiedozie Ogbene.
Ibrahima Konate (6/10):
Made a few silly fouls in the first half but escaped a booking. Went close with a late header.
Virgil van Dijk (6/10):
Little to do defensively and made himself a nuisance attacking set-pieces. Caught up the pitch when Luton countered and scored.
Joe Gomez (6/10):
Didn’t really put a foot wrong but contributed little in attack. Withdrawn for Tsimikas with 25 minutes left.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch (6/10):
Enjoyed a few bright moments of link-up play but struggled to create much in the channels.
Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):
Like Gravenberch, he failed to have much impact on proceedings in the centre of midfield.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):
Not put under much pressure by Luton but struggled to assert himself. Produced a couple of good free-kick deliveries.
Attack
Mohamed Salah (6/10):
Unusually quiet night but created a few chances in the second half. Just his presence sends defenders into panic.
Darwin Nunez (7/10):
Should have continued his scoring run but missed open goal out after Salah knockdown. Forced good saves out of Kaminski. Build-up play needs work.
Diogo Jota (6/10):
Should have scored in the first half but shot too close to Kaminski. Struggled to have much impact thereafter.
Subs & Manager
Cody Gakpo (6/10):
Couldn’t sort his feet out when Elliott’s cross found him unmarked six yards out. Should have scored.
Harvey Elliott (7/10):
Made a positive impact off the bench and provided a great cross for Diaz’s equaliser.
Kostas Tsimikas (6/10):
Provided more attacking impetus down the left flank than Gomez.
Luis Diaz (7/10):
Showed great mental strength to overcome his family situation and equalise with a brilliant header.
Jurgen Klopp (6/10):
Offensive substitutions made sense but left his side vulnerable to counter-attacks. Good call to bring on Diaz.