Klopp says Barcelona comeback inspired Liverpool's "thunderstorm" Luton display

21 February 2024 , 23:00

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Jurgen Klopp called Liverpool's second half display a "thunderstorm" (Image: PA)

Jurgen Klopp hailed a "thunderstorm" of a second half as Liverpool ran rampant against Luton to extend their lead in the Premier League title race.

And the Kop boss claimed their 2019 comeback win over Barcelona was the inspiration for the four-goal rout against the Hatters. That's because the Reds overcame an injury crisis - just like they did in the Champions League semi-final comeback classic - to move four points clear at the top of the table.

Klopp said: "The second half was a thunderstorm, wow. Wow." Liverpool were without 11 first-team stars last night including Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Thiago Alcantara.

They came from 3-0 down in the second leg against Barcelona five years ago without Salah and Roberto Firmino. Klopp said: "I promised my team a few months ago that I would never mention the Barcelona game as an example and I used it again today so I broke my promise.

"Just because this game was kind of similar. Many players missing, quite similar. This is now their Barcelona, it was against Luton. Difficult situation, plenty of reasons to give up in moments but not tonight and I saw only a super group fighting. If you don't limit yourself with bad thoughts you can fly, that's what the boys did."

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Liverpool became the first team from Europe's 'big five' leagues to score 100 goals this season in all competitions. Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott scored to ensure Chiedozie Ogbene's opener was well and truly cancelled out.

Klopp admitted he has no update yet if any of his injured stars will be ready for Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Chelsea after they moved four points clear of Manchester City in the league.

Luton boss Rob Edwards said his side were swallowed up by the Anfield atmosphere which turned electric after a nervy first half and left them still in the bottom three. Edwards said: "We saw Liverpool, we saw Anfield. It was full throttle. It was difficult for the players to concentrate with the crowd."

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Chris McKenna