Liverpool FC vs Luton Town Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips
- Date: Wednesday, 21 February
- Kick-off Time: 7:30 PM (GMT)
- Stadium: Anfield
Liverpool FC vs Luton Town Preview
As the business end of the season approaches, Liverpool FC is set to take on Luton Town in a match where victory is paramount to both clubs, albeit for different reasons.
League leaders Liverpool FC have been in fantastic form in Jürgen Klopp’s final season at the club. Accumulating 57 points out of a possible 75 till now, the Merseyside club has shot a message of intent through the league. However, with injuries racking up faster than recoveries and returns from injuries, Liverpool’s title challenge is facing a severe threat. A win against ailing Luton Town offers Liverpool the chance to grab easy points and stay clear at the top. With the league at stake and easy games drying up, every point matters.
On the other side are the visitors, Luton Town. A few matchdays ago, Luton looked comfortable in 17th and clear of the relegation zone, even if by a short distance. But after two consecutive losses, one against bottom-ranked Sheffield United, they are certainly in trouble. Everton trails the Hatters only by one point. A victory against giants Liverpool FC would elevate Luton Town not just away from the relegation zone, but also mentally. Luton Town fans will be looking forward to extending their stay in the top division of English football.
Also Read: Liverpool suffer injury blow to Diogo Jota & Co in Brentford win
Team News:
Liverpool
Liverpool’s great resolve to win the English Premier League this season can only be deterred by injuries. And, injuries have tried their level best to stop the club till now. The Reds suffered another major blow on Saturday in their dominating 4-1 win against Brentford. Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones were both taken off before half-time against Brentford with a knee and ankle injury respectively. Darwin Nunez joined the duo at the interval after also sustaining a knock, but he will likely be rested against Luton midweek.
Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota join the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Allison Becker, Mohamed Salah, and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold on the sidelines. Defender Joel Matip also sustained a season-ending cruciate ligament injury back in December. Meanwhile, given the fitness issues and injuries of Ben Doak and Stefan Bajetic, it is unlikely for the duo to make a return any time soon. Liverpool’s midfield sensation this season, Dominik Szoboszlai, will also miss the tie against Luton Town.
Luton Town
After thrashing Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 and an exhilarating 4-4 draw with Newcastle, Luton have slumped to two consecutive defeats. 20th placed Sheffield United destroyed Luton 3-1 in what was expected to be an easy game for Luton to win. The latest defeat came last night as The Hatters lost 2-1 to Manchester United despite a valiant effort. The heart of Luton’s recent troubles has been a leaky defense in the absence of key players. Tom Lockyer’s cardiac arrest back in December ruled him out for an indefinite period, leaving a gaping hole in defense.
Since then, Luton have also lost defensive midfielder Marvelous Nakamba and center-back Mads Juel Anderson to injuries. Luton will enter the contest at Anfield without the services of Fred Onyedinma and Daiki Hashioka. However, none of these injuries will hamper Luton’s chances of surviving relegation as much as Elijah Adebayo’s injury.
Before the game against Man United, Luton Town were forced into making a change in their starting lineup as Adebayo sustained a shock injury in warm-up. The extent of Luton’s top goalscorer’s injury is unknown, and he is likely to miss the crucial Liverpool tie. Luton Town will surely feel his absence against Liverpool FC as the Englishman has scored nearly 30% of the club’s goals in the league this season.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool Expected XI:
Caoimhin Kelleher (GK), Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk (C), Konstantinos Tsimikas, Harvey Elliot, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz
Luton Town Expected XI:
Thomas Kaminski (GK), Teden Mengi, Gabriel Osho, Amari’i’ Bell, Chiedozie Ogbene, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ross Barkley, Alfie Doughty, Carlton Morris (C), Jordan Clark, Cauley Woodrow
Head-to-Head Record
Liverpool and Luton Town are two ancient clubs and have faced each other 39 times over the course of a century. Liverpool have dominated the fixture with ease and won 18 fixtures. Meanwhile, Luton Town has won the tie only 7 times, with their latest victory over Liverpool coming 33 years ago in 1991. 14 games between the two clubs have ended in a draw.
Last five results:
- Luton Town 1-1 Liverpool:- English Premier League – 5 November 2023
- Liverpool 5-0 Luton Town:- FA Cup – 15 January, 2008
- Luton Town 1-1 Liverpool:- FA Cup – 6 January, 2008
- Luton Town 3-5 Liverpool:- FA Cup – 7 January, 2006
- Liverpool 2-1 Luton Town:- League Division One* – 11 January, 1992
* The English Premier League was founded in August 1992.
Prediction:
Despite injury struggles, Liverpool are expected to win the fixture comfortably. While the two clubs drew at Kenilworth Road back in November, at Anfield, Luton Town will struggle to contain a Liverpool hungry to win the Premier League. Luton might get lucky if Liverpool decides to make many rotations ahead of their Carabao Cup final tie with Chelsea. However, the Merseyside club is still strong enough to win the battle. Luton will rue the absence of starman Elijah Adebayo at Anfield as they might attempt to score the break.
Predicted Score: Liverpool 2-0 Luton Town
Betting Tips and Odds:
- Liverpool to win by 2 goal
- Liverpool Win: 1.20
- Draw: 6.80
- Luton Town Win: 13.00
Odds Source: Oddspedia.com
Where to watch Liverpool FC vs Luton Town:
- India: Hotstar, Star Sports Select
- England: Sky Sports, BT Sport
- USA: NBC Sports, fuboTV