Darwin Nunez, a substitute, scored two goals in quick succession to give Liverpool a 2-0 victory over Brentford, capping a frustrating ninety minutes.
Goals
Nunez 90+1′ (assist – Alexander-Arnold)
Nunez 90+3′ (assist – Elliott)
Following their frustrating midweek trip to the City Ground, the Reds made one change for their matchup against Brentford when Kostas Tsimikas entered the game for a hard battle against Bryan Mbeumo.
In addition to a cross from Mads Roerslev that Mikkel Damsgaard should have turned in with the goal open, Brentford’s right-hand side was the focal point of the early going.
After a protracted build-up, Alexis Mac Allister played it around the corner to Ryan Gravenberch, whose long-range attempt was tipped wide, marking the first time Liverpool truly put Mark Flekken to the test.
As has frequently happened this season, the visitors struggled to make their victories against Nottingham Forest matter, even though they won corner after corner—seven in the first half-hour.
Liverpool deserved to lead 1-0 after a counter that Cody Gakpo started and really ought to have completed. Dominik Szoboszlai had two chances in quick succession, one of which struck the crossbar.
After the interval, Liverpool continued to apply pressure with a diverse attack, and minutes in, former teammate Sepp van den Berg headed behind a curler that was headed by Szoboszlai.
In the first hour, the Reds had 24 shots on goal, and even though only five of them were on goal, they still deserved 1.91 expected goals compared to Brentford’s 0.43.
Nunez replaced a game but ineffective Luis Diaz, whose time as first-choice No. 9 has coincided with a lacklustre run, and Arne Slot mixed things up with the return of Andy Robertson and a necessary change up front.
The head coach was desperate for a change of fortune, and Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and Federico Chiesa followed.
However, Nunez was the real hero, as the Uruguayan scored a crucial victory by hammering in another goal after stabbing home from close range after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cutback.
After another difficult stretch for Nunez, the Uruguayan’s teammates flocked to his aid at full time, understanding the importance of his goals both personally and in the title race.
