Luton vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, score and reaction after late Luis Diaz goal
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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.
After a week of nightmare headlines, Luis Diaz rewrites his own for Liverpool
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 1-1 Liverpool: The Colombian scored off the bench after Tahith Chong thought he’d won the game for the hosts
Luton Town vs Liverpool
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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