Brentford 0 Liverpool 2: Has Darwin Nunez just given the title race a decisive turn?

On By Littum

Liverpool produced one of the most dramatic moments of the Arne Slot era with a late, late win at Brentford.

The source was unlikely as Darwin Nunez – a much-maligned striker in recent weeks – delivered two goals in stoppage time to secure victory and tighten his side’s grip at the top of the Premier League.

We dissect the big talking points.

Has the momentum swung decisively?

Title races are always defined by big moments and this felt like a huge one for Liverpool.

Arne Slott’s title charge threatened to hit another bump as they struggled against a stubborn Brentford before Nunez’s dramatic stoppage-time intervention (illustrated by their steep rise in expected goals in the graphic below) sparked euphoric scenes in the stadium’s away side.

With Arsenal yet to play, a third straight draw would have offered Mikel Arteta’s side an opportunity to close the gap further and raise more questions about whether Liverpool’s shot was developing into something more. Instead, it provided proof that the resilience of this side is not to be underestimated as the season’s run-up looms large.

Such matches are often about winning ugly with individuals producing moments of quality at the perfect moment. This was the ugly victory and just as it looked like momentum was about to swing away from Castle’s side, it’s right back with them now.

Andy Jones

Can Nunez now get going?

Nunez is a mercurial talent, but had recently shown very little of the talent part of that description. Well, that debate will be quieter over the next few weeks.

Castle’s apparent lack of confidence in the Uruguay international was underlined by the fact he started on the bench despite Diogo Jota being ruled out due to the minor injury he sustained during his goal-scoring performance against Nottingham Forest.

The stage should have been set for Nunez to start, but Slot continued with the front three he has chosen with increasing frequency: Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo. With Diaz operating as a centre-forward, the trio combined brilliantly in high-scoring wins over Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United in December – but since the start of 2025 they have looked increasingly ineffective.


Luis Diaz struggled at Brentford (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Diaz brings energy and technical skills, but in recent games against Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Brentford in the league, Liverpool have needed a more natural striker to occupy the opposition’s centre-backs.

Nunez had to wait until the 65th minute before his chance came off the bench and initially the signs were not promising. A chipped shot from outside the area almost sailed out of the stadium and he struggled to make an impact against a well-drilled defence.

Then, as the clock ticked down to halftime, his moment arrived. First he turned in a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold from close range; then, seconds later, he showed the kind of recklessness he hasn’t traditionally displayed to hammer the second.

It wasn’t the first time Nunez has made a crucial late contribution – Nottingham Forest away last season being a case in point – but it felt like a big moment for a striker Liverpool will need to fire in these final weeks. He needs to show that this was not a one-off.

Andy Jones

Why don’t Liverpool threaten more from corners?

For all Liverpool’s attacking prowess this season, their inability to score from corners continues to plague them.

As Brentford’s compact defensive blocking frustrated Slot’s team for long periods, one of their best attacking methods was to force the opposition back and maximize chances created from wide or set-piece situations.

Despite the sheer number of passes in the box – they had nine in the first half alone, the most they have had in the first 45 minutes of a Premier League game this season, and six more in the second – Liverpool’s attempts were consistently beaten away. . Only Alexis Mac Allister’s header from an Andy Robertson delivery in the second half really threatened a goal.

A greater number of swinging corners has been a theme of Liverpool’s approach this season, but there was a notable variation at the Gtech Community Stadium as they took more swinging corners than any other game this campaign.

When games are close, set pieces can be a vital attacking weapon to change the state of the game, with their recent headed corner goal scored by Jota against Forest being a key example. But over the course of the season Liverpool haven’t done enough to move the dial nearly as much as their attacking threat suggests. When taking opportunities into account, their 1.7 goals scored per 100 set pieces the second lowest of any Premier League team across the campaign.

Development coach Aaron Briggs was put through his paces on Saturday afternoon as he strolled into the technical area every time Liverpool attempted a corner, only to be shuffled back to his place after another opportunity was spurned. There has been little to criticize Liverpool at the top end of the pitch this season, but there is plenty of room for improvement in their set-piece threat.

Mark Carey

Battles in the press

Sometimes it’s hard to know when to criticize one team and when to credit another.

Brentford were brave and intelligent as they built from the back, constantly keeping Liverpool guessing by going wide on one occasion before mixing it up with a short goal kick that drew Liverpool onto them.

What was remarkable was how many times Brentford were able to bypass Liverpool’s pressing when they played it short. It’s been something that Slot’s side haven’t looked dull in in recent weeks, with their home game against Manchester United another example of players not quite getting it right when squeezing the pitch.

Whether it’s personnel or tactics is worth further investigation, but it was abundantly clear that Liverpool’s play out of possession wasn’t on fire at the top end of the pitch – as much as their play in possession.

Mark Carey

What next for Liverpool?

Tuesday 21 January: Lille (H), Champions League, at 20:00 GMT, at 3 p.m. ET

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(Top photo: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)