Brentford 0-2 Liverpool: Darwin Nunez scores late double in Premier League

Liverpool secured a victory in their away match against Brentford, thanks to a late brace from substitute Darwin Núñez, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table. Before Núñez stepped up, it seemed Liverpool's league win in 2025 would have to wait a little longer.

Uruguayan striker Núñez opened the scoring for Liverpool in the 91st minute, tapping in from close range after a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Just two minutes later, Núñez calmly capitalized on a counter-attack within the penalty area, scoring again as Brentford's defense had already been breached. Despite the late breakthrough, Liverpool deserved the three points after dominating possession and the game for much of the match.

In the first half, Dominik Szoboszlai's shot hit the crossbar, and Luis Díaz also missed a header from an unmarked position. Brentford adopted a deep-lying defensive strategy, trying to repel Liverpool's attacks, but failed to pose any substantial threat on the counter, with striker Bryan Mbeumo looking isolated. Liverpool completely controlled the tempo of the game in the second half, while Brentford continually retreated, and until Núñez's decisive two goals, Liverpool's efficiency in front of goal was not high, a decline compared to their firepower in the first half of the season.

Liverpool now lead second-placed Arsenal by six points and have a game in hand. Arsenal drew 2-2 with Aston Villa in their game later on Saturday evening. Brentford have lost three of their last four home games and are currently in 11th place. This season, Brentford's home ground, the Gtech Community Stadium, has been a goal-scoring paradise, with 52 goals scored in 12 games, 29 by Brentford and 23 by the away teams. However, Brentford never looked like adding to that tally in this game, under pressure from Liverpool from the start and mostly trying to stop Liverpool's attacks.

Liverpool's attacks seemed relentless, with a total of 37 shots, and Brentford eventually couldn't hold out, also being the only team in the Premier League this season yet to keep a clean sheet at home. Thomas Frank's side have earned all but five of their 28 points this season at home, but their home advantage seems to have vanished. They have won just one of their last seven Premier League games and one of their last nine in all competitions. Mbeumo lacked support in the game and was easily contained by Liverpool's central defensive pairing of Van Dijk and Konaté, while top scorer Yoane Wissa also failed to make an impact on the game.

Brentford's season will not be defined by a match against the league leaders, but Frank will be hoping for improvements in the coming weeks as their next five games are against teams currently ranked below them in the table. Liverpool were unstoppable in the first half of the season but have shown signs of slowing down in recent weeks. In the league, they drew with Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, and lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final. Despite their efforts against Brentford, Liverpool’s 37 shots with only 8 on target were disappointing.

Mohamed Salah, usually a reliable source of goals for Liverpool, had an off-day, managing only one shot on target. Players like Szoboszlai and Díaz were Liverpool's best attacking options until Núñez was substituted on. Núñez, who had only scored two league goals before this match, has clearly embraced the expectations of manager Arne Slot, who emphasized the need to "score winning goals more frequently" in the second half of the season. His first goal was an instinctive reaction, while the second required more skill, as he shook off a defender and chose his spot. With Diogo Jota out injured, Slot will need players like Núñez to step up and help the team in their push to finish the season strong.