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 prime of the Premier League desk.
Liverpool’s anticipate 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 probably, 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 objectives within the final 11 months, got here to the rescue, scoring along 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 could possibly be an important victory in Liverpool’s bid to win the title.
Van Dijk on Nunez’s contribution: ‘We’d like everybody at their finest’
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 because the day he got here in he brings a whole lot of power,” Van Dijk mentioned. “As a striker you are judged by your objectives. Perhaps it is more durable than ever. He is working laborious and studying.
“You need to earn these items. He put his mark on the sport. We’d like everybody at their finest. At this time was his day.
On the race for the title, Van Dijk added: “At this time was a small piece of the puzzle. Now we have to maintain going.”
It was a merciless blow for Brentford, who had arguably the very best probability of the primary half within the fifth minute when Bryan Mbeumo slipped in Mads Roerslev on the overlap. The complete 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 come back from the in-form Mbeumo, who twice beat Kostas Tsimikas earlier than capturing 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 the right track within the match as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah failed to bother Flekken. Nunez even spurned an enormous probability of his personal, planting a free header extensive 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 might need the possibility to shut the hole to 2 factors, it was Nunez who was in the best place on the proper time to maintain Liverpool’s title bid firmly on observe.
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.
“Through the season you are hoping for these moments,” he mentioned. “Many moments – we might have scored a late winner in opposition to United, Forest, Fulham. At this time it labored. We managed to attain in the previous few seconds.
“We have been near not getting what we deserved. The quantity of possibilities we created was like on Tuesday in opposition to Forest – so much. We have been near going off with no win. That, mixed with a late winner, is what we have been most joyful about. It was a big sport.
“I do not solely have a look at outcomes. We created so much. However now it is a win so I haven’t got to say have a look at our efficiency. I used to be very happy with our efficiency. Brentford made it a struggle. They’ve good gamers and a superb sport plan. It was a pleasant sport to look at, like each time Liverpool are on the pitch.”
Frank: Liverpool a stage above Arsenal and Man Metropolis
Brentford boss Thomas Frank described “full” Liverpool as the very best staff on this planet and large favourites to win the Premier League.
“I assumed we performed a very good sport in opposition to the very best staff on this planet proper now,” Frank mentioned. “We did a whole lot of issues proper. We defended very nicely. We gave the alternatives away however not too huge.
“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 move or contact. Their centre-backs have been exceptionally good.
“We all the time 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 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 observe again, are good indicators.
“They’re so good all around the pitch. Such a risk going ahead. These are actually, actually good. It is the very best staff within the Premier League and the world. They’re enormous 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 durations, it seemed prefer it wasn’t going to be Liverpool’s day.
Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold did not have their capturing boots because the ball continued to flash extensive of the goal.
Darwin Nunez – the hero of the hour for Liverpool – planted a free header extensive from Andy Robertson’s cross earlier than blasting a horrible effort over the crossbar from 30 yards because it seemed 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 ultimately got here good, and it’s Arne Slot’s capability to empty Liverpool’s bench with recent attacking choices that could possibly be essential 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 aspect within the Premier League – nevertheless it was their capability to maintain that stress with recent legs that ultimately received 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 preferred 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 battling accidents and depleted squads, that depth could possibly be the essential consider Liverpool’s bid to convey the title again to Anfield.
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