Darwin Nunez's injury-time brace gives Liverpool crucial win at Brentford

Arne Slot's side were in danger of enduring a third successive league draw after wasting a host of chances at the Gtech Community Stadium. Of all the candidates to end Liverpool's wobble, Uruguay striker Nunez would have been low down the list given his struggles over the last two seasons. But he rode to Liverpool's rescue with a stoppage-time brace that lifted the Reds' seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal.

The Gunners can close the gap back to four points with a win against Aston Villa in Saturday's late game. But Liverpool hold a game in hand on Arsenal and have the destiny of the title still firmly in their grasp thanks to the much-maligned Nunez. Slot had admitted he couldn't find a way to get the best out of the former Benfica star earlier this week.

The 25-year-old had scored just four goals in 26 games in all competitions prior to his unexpected double in west London. Slot will gratefully take Nunez's contribution as Liverpool's first win in three league games kept them on course for a first title since 2020. Since the turn of the year, Liverpool had only won one game in four in all competitions, beating minnows Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round.

They had drawn their previous two league games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, while also losing 1-0 at Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final first leg, making this victory essential to steady their nerves. Brentford kicked off with the joint-best home record in the Premier League, an impressive statistic they underlined by scoring twice in the closing stages to draw 2-2 with Manchester City on Tuesday.

Nunez late show

Thomas Frank's side should have had Liverpool on the ropes when Mikkel Damsgaard failed to convert Mads Roerslev's ball across the six-yard box. Brentford threatened again as Bryan Mbeumo forced Alisson Becker into action with a drive from the edge of the area. Luis Diaz glanced wide from Ibrahima Konate's pass before Ryan Gravenberch's long-range blast was tipped away by Mark Flekken.

Konate shot wastefully wide and Brentford captain Christian Norgaard headed over as chances kept coming at both ends. Liverpool had been denied three points at Forest by Matz Sels' superb saves and they were being frustrated by another in-form 'keeper, with Flekken saving well from Dominik Szoboszlai's low shot.

Szoboszlai was inches away from breaking the deadlock when the Liverpool midfielder slammed a 25-yard strike against the bar. Cody Gakpo should have done better than poke narrowly wide from Salah's pass after Liverpool carved open the Brentford rearguard. Early in the second half, Salah's shot deflected off Keane Lewis-Potter and was heading towards goal until Nathan Collins made a last-ditch clearance off the line. Slot sent on Andrew Robertson and Nunez, who immediately headed wide from the Scot's cross to the visible dismay of his manager.

Alisson saved twice in quick succession from Mbeumo's free-kick and the Brentford forward's follow-up effort. Liverpool's shot tally had reached 34 without a goal and they were nearly punished for their profligacy when Mbeumo's header was saved by Alisson. As the seconds ticked away, Liverpool grew more desperate and Trent Alexander-Arnold's 30-yard rocket did nothing to ease their angst as it fizzed just wide.

But their pressure was finally rewarded in stoppage-time as Alexander-Arnold's cross picked out Nunez and he kept his cool to slot home from close range. Slot danced a jubilant jig on the touchline and the Dutchman was celebrating again moments later as Harvey Elliott's pass found Nunez inside the area and he lashed a blistering finish past Flekken.

 

January 18, 2025