’THE BEST IN THE WORLD…’ JOHN HARTSON WOWED BY LIVERPOOL PLAYER WHO IS ‘SO GOOD’ AFTER WIN V LUTON

’THE BEST IN THE WORLD…’ JOHN HARTSON WOWED BY LIVERPOOL PLAYER WHO IS ‘SO GOOD’ AFTER WIN V LUTON

In the most difficult moments, you need your best players to step up and showcase their worth and Virgil van Dijk did just that for Liverpool on Wednesday night.

An injury-hit Liverpool team took to the field trying to enhance their lead at the top of the Premier League table, but found themselves 1-0 down against relegation-threatened Luton Town.

The mood around Anfield was flat, the team was lacking that bite in their play and a spark was needed from somewhere.

That’s where Virgil van Dijk stuck his chest out and equalised from a corner to start the ball rolling.

John Hartson lauded the centre-back and how he is ‘the best in the world’ and just ‘so good’ at what he does, as he told Premier League Productions (21/02/24 at 9:35 pm).

It wasn’t just the goal that impressed the legendary striker, but the leadership skills and overall play from the ice-cool defender.

This could prove to be a big moment in the Premier League title race because this was turning into a potential banana skin, especially with the number of players out for the Reds.

But, instead, Liverpool are five points clear at the top, with a better goal difference than Manchester City and Arsenal, who will now have to deal with the pressure at the weekend.

Virgil van Dijk leads Liverpool to win against Luton
“He has been terrific again all season,” said Hartson. “Tonight, they are 1-0 down, they didn’t feel sorry for themselves, Liverpool.

“They knew they had patience in the second half and they would come back and score goals. Him with the equaliser, a really good captain’s performance.

“But we say this all the time about him. He’s so, so consistent. He’s so good. I would really put him up with, if not the best centre-back in the world, and he has been for a long time now.”

Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk’s importance
With the senior players on the sidelines, this is going to test Liverpool’s squad depth and the adaptability of the manager.

It’s one thing falling 1-0 behind to a team like Luton and still going on to win in a comfortable manner in front of your own supporters.

But it’s going to be a different test altogether if it happens against a rejuvenated Chelsea at Wembley in the League Cup final on Sunday.

Liverpool fans will be hoping for some positive news on the injury front because, even if someone like Mohamed Salah can return, then it could prove to be a game-changer.

MORE: ‘People doubted him…’ Thierry Henry hails 25-year-old Arsenal sold after he stars in Champions League

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Rio Ferdinand says Liverpool have three truly ‘world-class’ players in their ranks

Rio Ferdinand has deemed three Liverpool players world-class amid the continuing debate over whether Bukayo Saka fits the bill.

Reds trio Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are in Ferdinand’s exclusive 12-man list of footballers who can be considered world-class.

Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah have been consistently brilliant for Liverpool over the years, helping the Reds win the biggest trophies available to them.

The Liverpool trio have been crucial in landing the Champions League, the Premier League, the UEFA Supercup and the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

As well as Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah, the list consisted of Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Harry Kane, Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

“I think it’s easier when you put a list together,” Ferdinand said on TNT Sports. “I was talking to Owen Hargreaves about it and when you put list down it becomes easier for me.

“There you see the guys there: Ederson, Alisson, Kyle Walker, Virgil van Dijk, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and the list goes on. You can see there for yourself.”

Ferdinand caused a bit of a stir last week when he said Arsenal’s Saka could not yet be described as world-class.

“He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages,” Ferdinand said on Vibe with FIVE.

“Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”

Liverpool extend lead at top of Premier League table
While this is a debate that many fans – of Arsenal and also neutrals – will have different views over, it’s nice to hear that Ferdinand deems three Liverpool players in that bracket.

The Reds enjoyed a great Wednesday as they came from behind to beat Luton Town 4-1 at Anfield and go four points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Liverpool are now in with a chance of winning the first major trophy of the English season as they take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Watch Liverpool v Luton Town Full Goals Highlights 4-1 here👇

Danny Murphy says Liverpool have a 27-year-old ‘real livewire’ in their ranks

UK
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has been described as a “real livewire” by Danny Murphy during the Reds’ win on Wednesday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool charges came from behind to run out 4-1 winners over Luton Town in their Premier League encounter at Anfield.

Liverpool fell behind in the 12th minute after Tahith Chong’s effort came off Caoimhin Kelleher and into the path of Chiedozie Ogbene, who nodded home from close range.

The Reds remained a goal down at the break but quickly turned the game around before the hour mark.

Liverpool’s comeback got under way in the 56th minute when Virgil van Dijk lost his marker to head the hosts level from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.

Then, just two minutes later, the Argentina international was the architect again as he delivered the ball for Cody Gakpo to nod home.

Diaz then put Liverpool out of reach on 71 minutes, getting the better of Teden Meghi and finally finding the back of the net.

It was a just reward for the 27-year-old, who had been plugging away all evening in a bid to get on the scoresheet.

At half-time, Murphy said on Premier League Productions, via the Premier League website: “[Luis Diaz] has been a real livewire and has been Liverpool’s most likely [goalscorer].

“He wasted a good early opportunity to calm everyone down, and had he taken one of his chances it would have given Liverpool a nice base to build from.”

Luckily, Diaz’s wasted chances didn’t come back to haunt Liverpool.

The Reds went on to turn the game around in the second half, before Diaz finally found the back of the net to put the game out of Luton’s reach.

The cherry on top came right at the end of the match, Harvey Elliott also netting to give Liverpool a resounding and resilient win.

The result puts Liverpool four points clear at the top of the Premier League table ahead of the Carabao Cup final with Chelsea on Sunday.

Goal Liverpool Gakpo score a perfect goal 2-1

Watch Liverpool vs Luton Town Live match stream here 👇

‘My fault’… Jurgen Klopp suggests he has been playing £35m Liverpool man in the wrong position

Jurgen Klopp has suggested he has been playing Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo in the wrong position this season.

Cody Gakpo has endured a frustrating campaign at Anfield so far after impressing during the second half of last season.

The Dutchman was snapped up for a fee worth around £35 million from PSV back in January last year and he hit the ground running for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

But with the likes of Darwin Nunez making huge improvements this season, the forward has struggled to nail down a place in the Liverpool side this time around.

Klopp has even used Gakpo in midfield seven times in the league this term. But after the 24-year-old’s latest display at Brentford, Klopp has suggested he may have made a mistake by moving the forward into midfield.

Klopp on Gakpo’s form for Liverpool
Speaking to the media ahead of tonight’s game against Luton Town, Klopp discussed what has been a fairly testing season for Gakpo.

“The numbers are 100 per cent absolutely alright, or even better,” the Liverpool boss said. “But that Cody had a bit of a struggle in between the season was more my fault.

Footage shows how Liverpool players reacted to Darwin Nunez’ open goal miss

The reaction of Liverpool players to Darwin Nunez’s inexplicable open goal miss can be seen in fan footage shared online.

Liverpool made it three wins out of three in the Europa League with a 5-1 thrashing of French side Toulouse at Anfield.

Diogo Jota, Wataru Endo, Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch and Mo Salah were all on target in the rout.

Toulouse were level for a period when Thijs Dallinga bagged a 16th minute equaliser but Liverpool turned it on for a high-scoring victory.

But the game’s biggest talking point was in the 65th minute when Nunez was involved in the most chaotic passage of play.

The Uruguayan produced an exquisite piece of skill to beat the last defender and then rounded the goalkeeper.

But just when it looked like he was going to double his tally for the game, Nunez fluffed his lines with the goal open as he hit the post.

However, the ball cannoned back into play and straight into the path of Gravenberch, who maintained his composure to slot home.

Rio Ferdinand says Liverpool have three truly ‘world-class’ players in their ranks

Rio Ferdinand has deemed three Liverpool players world-class amid the continuing debate over whether Bukayo Saka fits the bill.

Reds trio Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are in Ferdinand’s exclusive 12-man list of footballers who can be considered world-class.

Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah have been consistently brilliant for Liverpool over the years, helping the Reds win the biggest trophies available to them.

The Liverpool trio have been crucial in landing the Champions League, the Premier League, the UEFA Supercup and the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

As well as Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah, the list consisted of Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Harry Kane, Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

“I think it’s easier when you put a list together,” Ferdinand said on TNT Sports. “I was talking to Owen Hargreaves about it and when you put list down it becomes easier for me.

“There you see the guys there: Ederson, Alisson, Kyle Walker, Virgil van Dijk, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and the list goes on. You can see there for yourself.”

Ferdinand caused a bit of a stir last week when he said Arsenal’s Saka could not yet be described as world-class.

“He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages,” Ferdinand said on Vibe with FIVE.

“Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”

Liverpool extend lead at top of Premier League table
While this is a debate that many fans – of Arsenal and also neutrals – will have different views over, it’s nice to hear that Ferdinand deems three Liverpool players in that bracket.

The Reds enjoyed a great Wednesday as they came from behind to beat Luton Town 4-1 at Anfield and go four points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Liverpool are now in with a chance of winning the first major trophy of the English season as they take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Watch Liverpool v Luton Town Full Goals Highlights 4-1 here👇

Danny Murphy says Liverpool have a 27-year-old ‘real livewire’ in their ranks

UK
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has been described as a “real livewire” by Danny Murphy during the Reds’ win on Wednesday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool charges came from behind to run out 4-1 winners over Luton Town in their Premier League encounter at Anfield.

Liverpool fell behind in the 12th minute after Tahith Chong’s effort came off Caoimhin Kelleher and into the path of Chiedozie Ogbene, who nodded home from close range.

The Reds remained a goal down at the break but quickly turned the game around before the hour mark.

Liverpool’s comeback got under way in the 56th minute when Virgil van Dijk lost his marker to head the hosts level from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.

Then, just two minutes later, the Argentina international was the architect again as he delivered the ball for Cody Gakpo to nod home.

Diaz then put Liverpool out of reach on 71 minutes, getting the better of Teden Meghi and finally finding the back of the net.

It was a just reward for the 27-year-old, who had been plugging away all evening in a bid to get on the scoresheet.

At half-time, Murphy said on Premier League Productions, via the Premier League website: “[Luis Diaz] has been a real livewire and has been Liverpool’s most likely [goalscorer].

“He wasted a good early opportunity to calm everyone down, and had he taken one of his chances it would have given Liverpool a nice base to build from.”

Luckily, Diaz’s wasted chances didn’t come back to haunt Liverpool.

The Reds went on to turn the game around in the second half, before Diaz finally found the back of the net to put the game out of Luton’s reach.

The cherry on top came right at the end of the match, Harvey Elliott also netting to give Liverpool a resounding and resilient win.

The result puts Liverpool four points clear at the top of the Premier League table ahead of the Carabao Cup final with Chelsea on Sunday.

Goal Liverpool Gakpo score a perfect goal 2-1

Watch Liverpool vs Luton Town Live match stream here 👇

‘My fault’… Jurgen Klopp suggests he has been playing £35m Liverpool man in the wrong position

Jurgen Klopp has suggested he has been playing Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo in the wrong position this season.

Cody Gakpo has endured a frustrating campaign at Anfield so far after impressing during the second half of last season.

The Dutchman was snapped up for a fee worth around £35 million from PSV back in January last year and he hit the ground running for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

But with the likes of Darwin Nunez making huge improvements this season, the forward has struggled to nail down a place in the Liverpool side this time around.

Klopp has even used Gakpo in midfield seven times in the league this term. But after the 24-year-old’s latest display at Brentford, Klopp has suggested he may have made a mistake by moving the forward into midfield.

Klopp on Gakpo’s form for Liverpool
Speaking to the media ahead of tonight’s game against Luton Town, Klopp discussed what has been a fairly testing season for Gakpo.

“The numbers are 100 per cent absolutely alright, or even better,” the Liverpool boss said. “But that Cody had a bit of a struggle in between the season was more my fault.

Footage shows how Liverpool players reacted to Darwin Nunez’ open goal miss

The reaction of Liverpool players to Darwin Nunez’s inexplicable open goal miss can be seen in fan footage shared online.

Liverpool made it three wins out of three in the Europa League with a 5-1 thrashing of French side Toulouse at Anfield.

Diogo Jota, Wataru Endo, Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch and Mo Salah were all on target in the rout.

Toulouse were level for a period when Thijs Dallinga bagged a 16th minute equaliser but Liverpool turned it on for a high-scoring victory.

But the game’s biggest talking point was in the 65th minute when Nunez was involved in the most chaotic passage of play.

The Uruguayan produced an exquisite piece of skill to beat the last defender and then rounded the goalkeeper.

But just when it looked like he was going to double his tally for the game, Nunez fluffed his lines with the goal open as he hit the post.

However, the ball cannoned back into play and straight into the path of Gravenberch, who maintained his composure to slot home.