Over 2,500 Hatters made the pilgrimage to one of the most iconic stadiums in World Football. And for 56 minutes it was indeed one of those unforgettable Anfield nights. But then Virgil powered in a header, seconds later it was two, and we ended up conceding four.
The day started with the boarding of a 1pm train at Milton Keynes Central. Also on board further up the carriages as chief executive Gary Sweet and chairman David Wilkinson. Although there was no sign of them at check-in at the Liverpool Central Travelodge. Wherever they stayed, for their efforts stewarding this club they deserve the best accommodation available and the finest back bacon for breakfast at the very least.
In the warm-up by the beer kiosks in the Anfield Lower it was great to see one of English cricket’s finest, Sir Alasdair Cook, decked out in Hatters hat and scarf, enjoying a cool one. Easy to forget hold tall England’s record run scorer is.
Town were magnificent particularly in the first half. Forget all the Liverpool injuries, we were still missing one of our key players in Elijah. It is his presence in the box, ability to unsettle even the best of defenders, and crucially challenge keepers that we missed against United. Elijah destroyed the Arsenal keeper, was braver than the Burnley fella, and made a mug of the Brighton shot-stopper. You just know he would have won the battle with Onana the flapper had he been fit.
Let’s talk about our goal. Very similar to the one we got at United. Good play out wide, ball comes into Chong, he wisely takes a shot aiming at near post, keeper blocks it, it balloons up to the far post where both Carlton and Chieo are waiting to nod it in. Chieo gets there. Cue bedlam in the Anfield road lower.
Crucial to the defensive performance in that first half which saw every Liverpool attack thwarted and every long range shot sail over or wide, were the contributions of Lokonga and the back three. Immense.
News during the half time break that Lokonga was off injured was a major setback and so it proved. Anfield grew louder as the Liverpool tornado whistled round the Luton Town players. In the 4-1 v Brighton on the first day there was a bit of naiviety, in the 3-1 away at Villa we were done by some runners, but against Liverpool here the press, the intensity, and the crowd noise were incredible.
A typically majestic and generous interview from Sir Robbie afterwards where he said the Town squad will learn lots from the game. Life as a journey is all about the growing.
City then in the cup at home on Tuesday. Let’s hope for encouraging news from the increasingly busy physio room.
#COYH
Town: Kaminski; Ogbene, Doughty (sub Kaboré 74), Mengi, Osho, Bell; Lokonga (sub Mpanzu 46), Barkley; Chong (sub Clark 63), Morris, Woodrow (sub Townsend 58).
Subs not used: Krul, Potts, Berry, Burke, Nelson.