Darwin Nunez was the hero for Liverpool, scoring twice in stoppage time to seal a dramatic late win over Brentford to ship the Reds seven factors clear on the high of the Premier League desk.
Liverpool’s watch for a league win in 2025 seemed set to proceed as Arne Slot’s aspect wasted probability after probability – 35 to be exact.
With extra dropped factors wanting doubtless, it appeared Arsenal might need the possibility to shut the hole to 2 factors with Brentford simply minutes away from some extent, however substitute Nunez, who had solely scored 9 targets within the final 11 months, got here to the rescue, scoring together with his aspect’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 aim however he bailed his aspect 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’d like everybody at their greatest’
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was stuffed with reward for Nunez’s contribution and known as on his aspect to maintain going as they chase Premier League glory.
“Darwin since the day he came in he brings a lot of energy,” Van Dijk mentioned. “As a striker you are judged by your targets. Possibly it is harder than ever. He is working exhausting and studying.
“It’s important to earn these items. He put his mark on the sport. We’d like everybody at their greatest. Right now 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 exhibits his high quality and the way vital he’s for this crew.
It was a merciless blow for Brentford, who had arguably one of the best probability 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 crowning glory from shut vary.
Brentford’s risk continued to come back from the in-form Mbeumo, who twice beat Kostas Tsimikas earlier than taking pictures straight at Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Nevertheless, 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 aim after a surprising 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 probabilities continued to come back 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 course within the match as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah failed to hassle Flekken. Nunez even spurned an enormous probability of his personal, planting a free header vast of the goal.
Brentford threatened on the break themselves as Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa had been denied by Alisson, however ultimately, with it wanting like Arsenal might need the possibility to shut the hole to 2 factors, it was Nunez who was in the precise place on the proper time to maintain Liverpool’s title bid firmly on monitor.
Darwin Nunez celebrates scoring his, and Liverpool’s second aim
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 towards Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in current weeks.
“During the season you’re hoping for these moments,” he mentioned. “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 had been near not getting what we deserved. The quantity of possibilities we created was like on Tuesday towards Forest – lots. We had been near going off with no win. That, mixed with a late winner, is what we had been most completely satisfied about. It was a major sport.
“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 stage above Arsenal and Man Metropolis
Brentford boss Thomas Frank described “complete” Liverpool as one of the best crew on this planet and large favourites to win the Premier League.
“I thought we played a really good game against the best team in the world right now,” Frank mentioned. “We did a lot of things right. We defended very well. We gave the opportunities away but not too big.
“We most likely 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 had been 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 believe we simply performed Metropolis and Arsenal and now Liverpool, in a brief period of time. For me, [Liverpool] are a stage above the 2 groups. They’re full. Their work ethic, the way in which they monitor again, 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].”
