Brentford 0-2 Liverpool: Darwin Nunez answers critics with last-gasp double to send leaders seven points clear
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Darwin Nunez silenced his critics with a stunning last-gasp brace off the bench to lead Liverpool to a dramatic late 2-0 victory over Brentford. The oft-maligned Uruguayan striker struck twice in quick succession in stoppage time at the Gtech Community Stadium to spark pandemonium in the away end after an entertaining and end-to-end clash looked to be heading towards a goalless draw.
Nunez’s crucial late intervention successfully avoided a third successive Premier League stalemate for the leaders, who instead went seven points clear at the summit before closest title rivals Arsenal host Aston Villa in the late kick-off on Saturday.
Both managers made just one change from battling midweek draws with Manchester City and Nottingham Forest respectively, Brentford boss Thomas Frank replacing Mathias Jensen with Yehor Yarmoliuk in midfield and Liverpool counterpart Arne Slot opting for Kostas Tsimikas over Andy Robertson at left-back, with Luis Diaz passed fit after illness and Nunez back on the bench after suspension as Diogo Jota joined Joe Gomez on the sidelines.
It was a typically open start to a game between two high-scoring teams, with Mikkel Damsgaard just missing the chance to tap home from close range for Brentford after Mads Roerslev’s dangerous low cross took a vital deflection. Bryan Mbeumo also shot at Alisson, while Bees captain Christian Norgaard headed well off target from a free-kick.
Most of the first-half pressure came from Liverpool, who quickly piled up the corners and hit the crossbar through Dominik Szoboszlai, who was their chief attacking threat as he and midfield colleague Ryan Gravenberch both tested Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal.
