Darwin Nunez was the hero for Liverpool, scoring twice in stoppage time to seal a dramatic late win over Brentford to send the Reds seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Liverpool’s wait for a league win in 2025 looked set to continue as Arne Slot’s side wasted chance after chance – 35 to be precise.
With more dropped points looking likely, it appeared Arsenal might have the chance to close the gap to two points with Brentford just minutes away from a point, but substitute Nunez, who had only scored nine goals in the last 11 months, came to the rescue, scoring with his side’s 36th shot of the game to break the deadlock and spark wild celebrations from the visitors.
So often the Uruguay international has been criticised for wastefulness in front of goal but he bailed his side out of trouble, adding a second just before the full-time whistle to secure what could be a crucial victory in Liverpool’s bid to win the title.
Van Dijk on Nunez’s contribution: ‘We need everyone at their best’
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was full of praise for Nunez’s contribution and called on his side to keep going as they chase Premier League glory.
“Darwin since the day he came in he brings a lot of energy,” Van Dijk said. “As a striker you’re judged by your goals. Maybe it’s tougher than ever. He’s working hard and learning.
“You have to earn these things. He put his mark on the game. We need everyone at their best. Today was his day.
On the race for the title, Van Dijk added: “Today was a small piece of the puzzle. We have to keep going.”
This shows his quality and how important he is for this team.
It was a cruel blow for Brentford, who had arguably the best chance of the first half in the fifth minute when Bryan Mbeumo slipped in Mads Roerslev on the overlap. The full back squared the ball across the six-yard box for Mikkel Damsgaard, who could not find the finishing touch from close range.
Brentford’s threat continued to come from the in-form Mbeumo, who twice beat Kostas Tsimikas before shooting straight at Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker. However, Liverpool’s domination grew as the half went on.
Domink Szoboszlai’s strike clipped the top of the crossbar, while Cody Gakpo could not beat goalkeeper Mark Flekken when in on goal after a stunning counter-attack from the league leaders.
Liverpool racked up 19 shots without scoring in the first half and their dominance continued after the break.
The chances continued to come thick and fast for Liverpool, who threw on Harvey Elliot, Curtis Jones, Federicho Chiesa and Nunez as they searched for the breakthrough.
The visitors only had eight shots on target in the match as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah failed to trouble Flekken. Nunez even spurned a huge chance of his own, planting a free header wide of the target.
Brentford threatened on the break themselves as Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa were denied by Alisson, but in the end, with it looking like Arsenal might have the chance to close the gap to two points, it was Nunez who was in the right place at the right time to keep Liverpool’s title bid firmly on track.
Slot: You hope to have these moments
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was relieved to grab a late winner at the Gtech Community Stadium after failing to do so in the draws against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in recent weeks.
“During the season you’re hoping for these moments,” he said. “Many moments – we could have scored a late winner against United, Forest, Fulham. Today it worked. We managed to score in the last few seconds.
“We were close to not getting what we deserved. The amount of chances we created was like on Tuesday against Forest – a lot. We were close to going off without a win. That, combined with a late winner, is what we were most happy about. It was a significant game.
“I don’t only look at results. We created a lot. But now it’s a win so I don’t have to say look at our performance. I was very pleased with our performance. Brentford made it a fight. They have good players and a good game plan. It was a nice game to watch, like every time Liverpool are on the pitch.”
Frank: Liverpool a level above Arsenal and Man City
Brentford boss Thomas Frank described “complete” Liverpool as the best team in the world and huge favourites to win the Premier League.
“I thought we played a really good game against the best team in the world right now,” Frank said. “We did a lot of things right. We defended very well. We gave the opportunities away but not too big.
“We probably lacked the final cutting edge. We had some good chances and opportunities that never became opportunities because of the last pass or touch. Their centre-backs were exceptionally good.
“We always try to win the game from minute one despite who’s coming here. We knew they’d have the ball a bit more but we believed we could win the game.
“I think we just played City and Arsenal and now Liverpool, in a short amount of time. For me, [Liverpool] are a level above the two teams. They’re complete. Their work ethic, the way they track back, are good indicators.
“They’re so good all over the pitch. Such a threat going forward. These are really, really good. It’s the best team in the Premier League and the world. They’re huge favourites to win it [the title].”
Strength in depth key for Liverpool’s title challenge
Sky Sports’ Oliver Yew at the Gtech Community Stadium:
For long periods, it looked like it wasn’t going to be Liverpool’s day.
Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold didn’t have their shooting boots as the ball continued to flash wide of the target.
Darwin Nunez – the hero of the hour for Liverpool – planted a free header wide from Andy Robertson’s cross before blasting a terrible effort over the crossbar from 30 yards as it looked like the Reds were heading for a third straight league draw to start 2025 and more dropped points in the race for the Premier League title.
But Nunez and Liverpool eventually came good, and it is Arne Slot’s ability to empty Liverpool’s bench with fresh attacking options that could be critical in their bid.
Liverpool, who were without the injured Diogo Jota, racked up an incredible 37 shots at Brentford – a record for an away side in the Premier League – but it was their ability to sustain that pressure with fresh legs that eventually got them over the line.
Nunez came to the rescue on this occasion but Harvey Elliott, who has not had as many minutes as he would have liked this season, also played a key role from the bench with an assist for the second.
If Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo don’t get you, Nunez, Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott will! And when other sides in the league are struggling with injuries and depleted squads, that depth could be the crucial factor in Liverpool’s bid to bring the title back to Anfield.
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Source : Sky Sports
