Virgil van Dijk said today was Darwin Nunez’s day, as the Liverpool striker came off the bench to score twice in stoppage time to earn his side a 2-0 win at Brentford.
The Premier League leaders had gone two matches without a victory and looked set to make that three, as the meeting at the Gtech Community Stadium headed towards the final whistle.
But Nunez, who had not scored in the Premier League in more than two months, popped up to convert Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross in the first minute of stoppage time before sealing the win two minutes later.
Nunez's first goal v Brentford
Darwin delivers in 90+1' 🤩🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/KuAQ4EOe30
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 18, 2025
Liverpool had a Premier League record 37 shots at the Gtech, and being able to convert two of their chances this time extended their lead over Arsenal to seven points, ahead of the Gunners' later match with Aston Villa.
"You have to earn these things," Van Dijk said of Nunez. "As a striker, you get judged on goals, especially at a club like Liverpool.
"Today he put his mark on the game, which was very important. We need everyone at their best. Today was his day."
Arne Slot said that after successive draws against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, where Liverpool could not convert their late domination into wins, this was the type of victory that managers hope for.
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"During the season you're hoping for these moments," Slot told BBC Sport.
"[There have been] many moments when we could have scored a late winner - against United, Forest, Fulham. Today it worked. We managed to score in the last few seconds."
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
21 | +30 | 50 |
| 2 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
22 | +22 | 44 |
| 3 |
Nott'm Forest
NFO
|
21 | +10 | 41 |
| 4 |
Newcastle
NEW
|
22 | +12 | 38 |
"We were close to not getting what we deserved," Slot added.
"The amount of chances we created was like on Tuesday against Forest - a lot. We were close to going off without a win. That, combined with a late winner, is what we were most happy about. And it was a significant game."
Nunez's last league goal before today was scored in early November, but in his pre-match press conference yesterday, Slot expressed his confidence that his striker would return to the scoresheet.
"He's always having a lot of impact when he comes in," Slot said of Nunez.
"He brings energy and power. [In] most of our games, in the last half-hour we are in control around 18 yards, and that's where he's at his best.
"The first hour is often open but in the last 30 minutes we are dominant. Then someone like Darwin is nice to have.
"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 the best team in world
Brentford boss Thomas Frank called Liverpool "the best team in the world" and certainly the pick of the sides his men have faced at the Gtech this season, after hosting Arsenal and Manchester City.
"We have just played City and Arsenal, and now Liverpool, in a short amount of time," said Frank.
"For me, they [Liverpool] are a level above the other two teams. They're complete. Their work ethic, the way they track back, are good indicators. They're so good all over the pitch. Such a threat going forward.
"They're the best team in the Premier League and the world. They're huge favourites to win it [the title]."
