KLOPP SEES ‘FIREWORKS’ IN FIGHTBACK
JUST when it looked like title-race tension was threatening to trip up Liverpool, a double Dutch turnaround in 125 seconds helped them extend their lead at the top of the table.
The hosts went behind to Chiedozie Ogbene’s 12th-minute opener and the Kop faithful were fearing the worst.
But skipper Virgil van Dijk soothed nerves with a 56th-minute header before Dutch compatriot Cody Gakpo headed home soon Pool’s second.
Luis Diaz secured the three points with the third before Harvey Elliott, on his 100th appearance, made it 100 goals this term for the rampant Reds.
Klopp’s side are now four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a massive run ahead.
The German boss said: “Exceptional game. I liked lots of the first half, but I saw the boys and crowd didn’t like it as much.
“We started okay and you have to get used to an opponent, then they score their goal but everything was good until the final third and then we were in a rush.
“I told the boys it was a top game and we have to be calmer in decisive moments, then there were fireworks and wonderful goals – fantastic night and it’s just really good.”
It was a nervy Anfield from the off and jitters turned to groans when Ogbene put Luton ahead, nodding in after Caoimhin Kelleher failed to deal with a Tahith Chong shot.
Tension grew but a chaotic start to the second half lifted the crowd and Van Dijk pull his side back in the game from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.
A quick throw from Conor Bradley gave Mac Allister another crossing chance and Gakpo headed home in 58 minutes.
Diaz got the third in the 71st minute as he put his earlier missed chances behind him. Elliott then fired into the top corner in the final minute to cap an incredible comeback.