‘Moments like this win titles’ – Liverpool are ‘level above their rivals’

Have Liverpool’s title race just suffered a decisive blow?

Just when small doubts started to emerge about the Reds ‘ Premier League-winning credentials, the much-maligned Darwin Nunez’s late double in a 2-0 win at Brentford provided an emphatic answer.

Particularly when, with a game in hand, title rivals Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Aston Villa, leaving Arne Slot’s men six points clear of the second-placed Gunners.

“Arne Slot said in the week that he couldn’t get Darwin Nunez firing. What an important goal that could be for Liverpool”, Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He’s not going to miss those sort of opportunities.

” That’s how you win titles. Going to the end, fighting until the end and taking your opportunities. “

A trip to Brentford, who have the third-best home record in the division, was always anticipated to put Liverpool’s character and ability to carry on a championship charge, after successive draws against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool controlled the game by making 37 shots as they controlled the match, but substitute Nunez turned in from close range to break the deadlock in the 91st minute, and the Uruguay international’s second of the afternoon was the difference.

Brentford’s last three home Premier League outings this month have come against Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.

The Bees fell to Arsenal 3-1, went 2-2, and then succumbed to Liverpool late in the season.

” We just played City and Arsenal and now Liverpool, in a short amount of time, “Brentford manager Thomas Frank told BBC Sport.

” For me they’re a level above the 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. The Premier League’s and world’s best team is here. They’re huge favourites to win it]the title]”.

Danny Murphy, a former Liverpool midfielder, said on BBC Match of the Day that “they played like a team with a point to prove.” People were told that if they believed Liverpool was experiencing a blip.

Ex-Wales centre-back Ashley Williams added: “Right now, Liverpool have the strongest squad and I think they will win the league.

Liverpool emerged as serious title contenders in August, but their momentum had started to wane.

Slot’s side dropped nine points in their opening 18 fixtures, losing one and drawing three, but let slip four points in two games prior to facing Brentford.

After 90 minutes of Liverpool’s trip to London, it appeared another two would go begging. However, they showed spirit and resilience to get the job done.

Later in the day, Arsenal lost a two-goal lead to Aston Villa in a dramatic eight-minute period.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson said on Sky Sports, “I would be shocked if Liverpool didn’t win the league now, and Liverpool scoring two goals in injury time, that’s a massive swing.”

Liverpool’s late victory may serve as the catalyst needed to win the club’s inaugural season with the club.

There are some real dejected faces in the Arsenal crowd, Gary Neville said on Sky Sports. “It has swung even further in the title race for Liverpool,” Gary Neville said.

When Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 55th minute, Kai Havertz wheeled away to celebrate their second defeat of Villa.

But just 13 minutes later, Villa were level courtesy of Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.

When Mikel Merino’s shot fell to Havertz just three minutes into the game, the Gunners rallied and realized it had won, but a video assistant referee (VAR) checked for handball and the goal was ruled out.

This season, Arsenal have lost 12 points in the Premier League’s top scorers, the most in a single campaign since 2019-20 (21).

” We were unbelievable. So proud of the way we played, how dominant, how fluid we were and how much we put into it, “boss Mikel Arteta told BBC Sport.

In six days, we played three games. So proud of them, but at the same time so disappointed. We deserve more. We didn’t get it, and we are sad because of that.

“There are moments, and obviously they]Liverpool] managed to do that]win]. They created the subs, and they altered the game as a result.

Even though we conceded the two goals very close to each other, the outcome was the opposite. The danger was that I was aware that half of the team could sag because they were physically exhausted.

In recent weeks, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have been touted as potential title rivals to Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp, who was at the club for nine years, significantly improved Liverpool’s fortunes and won its first Premier League title in 2019-20, leaving Slot with big boots to fill when he arrived in the summer.

The Merseyside outfit look on course to win their 20th top flight title, matching Manchester United’s record, but the Dutchman hasn’t skipped a beat.

After failing to find a formula for success in recent weeks, Slot questioned whether his team could find a way to win at Brentford despite consistently performing the majority of the campaign.

” Of course I had doubts about it, “he said.

” So many times in recent weeks we’ve missed a lot of chances. After all the chances we had today that we had scored in the final five minutes, it would have seemed surprising to me. The players once more disproved my theory.

Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool’s leading man once again this campaign, with the Egyptian registering 18 goals in the league and 21 across all competitions.

Liverpool hasn’t scored in his last three games, which coincides with his recent decline in form.

However, Nunez turned out to be a unlikely hero.

After making 34 appearances for the Portuguese club in the previous season, the 25-year-old moved to Liverpool for £64 million from Benfica in June 2022.

In his first season, Nunez scored 11 Premier League goals while he also scored 11 in 2023-24.

He had just two to his name this term before the decisive double at Brentford.

The Uruguayan international has made 16 league appearances for Liverpool, but only seven of those appearances have already been made. Slot is quickly starting to make an impact with him.

“He’s always having a lot of impact when he comes in, he brings energy and power”, Slot told BBC Sport.

“Most of our games are the last half hour in control around 18 yards, and that’s where he’s at his best.