Darwin Nunez was the hero for Liverpool, scoring twice in stoppage time to seal a dramatic late win over Brentford and ship the Reds six factors clear on the high of the Premier League desk.
Liverpool’s await a league win in 2025 appeared set to proceed as Arne Slot’s facet wasted likelihood after likelihood – 35 to be exact.
With extra dropped factors wanting possible, it appeared Arsenal, who ended up dropping factors themselves with a 2-2 draw in opposition to Aston Villa, may need the prospect to shut the hole to 2 factors with Brentford simply minutes away from some extent.
Nonetheless, substitute Nunez, who had solely scored 9 targets within the final 11 months, got here to the rescue, scoring together with his facet’s thirty sixth shot of the sport to interrupt the impasse and spark wild celebrations from the guests.
So typically the Uruguay worldwide has been criticised for wastefulness in entrance of purpose however he bailed his facet out of bother, including a second simply earlier than the full-time whistle to safe what might be an important victory in Liverpool’s bid to win the title.
Van Dijk on Nunez’s contribution: ‘We want everybody at their finest’
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was filled with reward for Nunez’s contribution and known as on his facet to maintain going as they chase Premier League glory.
“Darwin for the reason that day he got here in he brings a variety of power,” Van Dijk stated. “As a striker you are judged by your targets. Perhaps it is more durable than ever. He is working arduous and studying.
“It’s important to earn this stuff. He put his mark on the sport. We want everybody at their finest. Right this moment was his day.
On the race for the title, Van Dijk added: “Right this moment was a small piece of the puzzle. We’ve got to maintain going.”
This reveals his high quality and the way essential he’s for this group.
It was a merciless blow for Brentford, who had arguably the very best likelihood of the primary half within the fifth minute when Bryan Mbeumo slipped in Mads Roerslev on the overlap. The total again squared the ball throughout the six-yard field for Mikkel Damsgaard, who couldn’t discover the final touch from shut vary.
Brentford’s risk continued to return from the in-form Mbeumo, who twice beat Kostas Tsimikas earlier than taking pictures straight at Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Nonetheless, Liverpool’s domination grew because the half went on.
Domink Szoboszlai’s strike clipped the highest of the crossbar, whereas Cody Gakpo couldn’t beat goalkeeper Mark Flekken when in on purpose after a shocking counter-attack from the league leaders.
Liverpool racked up 19 pictures with out scoring within the first half and their dominance continued after the break.
The possibilities continued to return thick and quick for Liverpool, who threw on Harvey Elliot, Curtis Jones, Federicho Chiesa and Nunez as they looked for the breakthrough.
The guests solely had eight pictures on track within the match as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah failed to bother Flekken. Nunez even spurned an enormous likelihood of his personal, planting a free header huge of the goal.
Brentford threatened on the break themselves as Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have been denied by Alisson, however in the long run, with it wanting like Arsenal may need the prospect to shut the hole, it was Nunez who was in the best place on the proper time as Liverpool prolonged their lead on the high and strengthened their title bid.
Darwin Nunez celebrates scoring his, and Liverpool’s second purpose
Slot: You hope to have these moments
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was relieved to seize a late winner on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium after failing to take action within the attracts in opposition to Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in latest weeks.
“In the course of the season you are hoping for these moments,” he stated. “Many moments – we might have scored a late winner in opposition to United, Forest, Fulham. Right this moment it labored. We managed to attain in the previous few seconds.
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Arne Slot was filled with reward for Darwin Nunez after the Uruguayan’s double fired Liverpool to an important win at Brentford.
“We have been near not getting what we deserved. The quantity of possibilities we created was like on Tuesday in opposition to Forest – lots. We have been near going off with out a win. That, mixed with a late winner, is what we have been most completely happy about. It was a big recreation.
“I do not solely take a look at outcomes. We created lots. However now it is a win so I haven’t got to say take a look at our efficiency. I used to be very happy with our efficiency. Brentford made it a combat. They’ve good gamers and a very good recreation plan. It was a pleasant recreation to look at, like each time Liverpool are on the pitch.”
Frank: Liverpool a degree above Arsenal and Man Metropolis
Brentford boss Thomas Frank described “full” Liverpool as the very best group on the planet and big favourites to win the Premier League.
“I assumed we performed a very good recreation in opposition to the very best group on the planet proper now,” Frank stated. “We did a variety of issues proper. We defended very nicely. We gave the alternatives away however not too massive.
“We in all probability lacked the ultimate leading edge. We had some good possibilities and alternatives that by no means turned alternatives due to the final go or contact. Their centre-backs have been exceptionally good.
“We at all times attempt to win the sport from minute one regardless of who’s coming right here. We knew they’d have the ball a bit extra however we believed we might win the sport.
“I feel we simply performed Metropolis and Arsenal and now Liverpool, in a brief period of time. For me, [Liverpool] are a degree above the 2 groups. They’re full. Their work ethic, the way in which they observe again, are good indicators.
“They’re so good everywhere in the pitch. Such a risk going ahead. These are actually, actually good. It is the very best group within the Premier League and the world. They’re large favourites to win it [the title].”
Energy in depth key for Liverpool’s title problem
Sky Sports activities’ Oliver Yew on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium:
For lengthy intervals, it appeared prefer it wasn’t going to be Liverpool’s day.
Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold did not have their taking pictures boots because the ball continued to flash huge of the goal.
Darwin Nunez – the hero of the hour for Liverpool – planted a free header huge from Andy Robertson’s cross earlier than blasting a horrible effort over the crossbar from 30 yards because it appeared just like the Reds have been heading for a 3rd straight league draw to begin 2025 and extra dropped factors within the race for the Premier League title.
However Nunez and Liverpool finally got here good, and it’s Arne Slot’s potential to empty Liverpool’s bench with contemporary attacking choices that might be crucial of their bid.
Liverpool, who have been with out the injured Diogo Jota, racked up an unimaginable 37 pictures at Brentford – a report for an away facet within the Premier League – but it surely was their potential to maintain that strain with contemporary legs that finally acquired them over the road.
Nunez got here to the rescue on this event however Harvey Elliott, who has not had as many minutes as he would have appreciated this season, additionally performed a key position from the bench with an help for the second.
If Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo do not get you, Nunez, Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott will! And when different sides within the league are combating accidents and depleted squads, that depth might be the essential think about Liverpool’s bid to deliver the title again to Anfield.