How Arne Slot's backup brigade are firing Liverpool towards the title - and why Brentford win could be the moment they look back on in May, writes LEWIS STEELE
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He had only played a short cameo off the substitutes’ bench but was soon being saluted like a king from the travelling Kop. Darwin Nunez had just scored a last-gasp winning goal to put Liverpool firmly into the driving seat for a 20th English league title.
![[Arne Slot's men must learn from last season and use this victory as a springboard for their title charge]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/12/94260891-14301869-image-a-6_1737288264009.jpg)
The scene we are discussing is not his magic-man antics at Brentford on Saturday – but his 99th-minute winner at Nottingham Forest last March. It propelled the Reds to four points clear atop the Premier League and felt like a season-defining strike.
![[Harvey Elliott (background) and Federico Chiesa (left) also played a big role after coming on]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/12/94260941-14301869-image-a-7_1737288381689.jpg)
Having not made the squad in the previous league game on both occasions and come into the match under scrutiny, little has changed. The only difference was the grace in which opposition boss Thomas Frank greeted the goal, in contrast to a furious episode from Forest chiefs.
![[Their late win over Nottingham Forest in March - also thanks to Darwin Nunez - did not prove to be a springboard as hoped]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/12/94261053-14301869-image-a-18_1737288771106.jpg)
But the point is that Liverpool and Nunez have been here before. They pulled clear that day on the banks of the River Trent only to eventually falter in their quest of supremacy by dropping points in six of their final 11 league fixtures. Now is the time for the Reds to seize their opportunity and power on. A draw at Brentford would have been no disaster – especially noting Arsenal drew – but it would have twisted the narrative and their six-point lead could have easily been just two if the day played out differently.
![[Virgil van Dijk's advice to Nunez is to stay calm because Liverpool will need him in big moments]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/12/94261145-14301869-image-a-19_1737289003668.jpg)
Everyone expected Arne Slot’s team to be in a transition period this season under the new regime. Finishing in the top four felt like the realistic target in August – but now the goalposts have changed and anything but finishing as champions will be seen as a huge disappointment.
![[Nunez, Elliott and Chiesa have had to settle for bit-part roles but were toasted in the dressing room after the win at Brentford]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/12/94261179-14301869-image-a-20_1737289152558.jpg)
