Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brentford was a welcome reprieve for the Reds from what had been a certain Premier League draw. Late, great goals sealed the deal through polarizing forward Darwin Núñez notching home late on, showing the intensity and persistence in Arne Slot's squad. It came as a reminder that numbers don't lie, with an astonishing 37 shots, but right up until the 91st minute, the glimmer of doubt lived on-would it be another frustrating day?
Follow Playing for 90 on X (Twitter).
Back on top After frustrating draws against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool desperately needed a win to keep themselves atop the Premier League table. Brentford, however, seemed determined to make life difficult for the visitors.
Just when it seemed like another goalless night was on the cards, Darwin Núñez proved to be an unlikely hero from off the bench. He found the net courtesy of a neat pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 91st minute, then secured the win with two minutes left as he beat Harvey Elliott's cross to underline his value in this glittering Liverpool attack.
As coach Arne Slot admitted: "Of course I doubted it somehow because before those two goals went in, it felt like I was watching the same game on repeat with the same patterns. But again the players prove me wrong."
A game of astonishing numbers
Liverpool's 37 shots against Brentford put into context the sheer dominance of a team in control of their opponents that often struggles to make opportunities count. It was the most in a single Premier League game since the 2003/04 campaign and levelled the record that Liverpool had set against Everton in 2016. Yet, for 36 of those, the scoreline did not change.
This display, for all its brilliance, prompts a basic question: how can a team so adept at creating chances take such an eternity to convert them? For Slot, it is simply patience: "We're in a results-driven business — it's not about playing pretty soccer. People only care about beautiful soccer if you win."
Darwin Núñez
Darwin Núñez is still somewhat of an enigma in this Liverpool team. Often found guilty of inconsistency, the Uruguayan forward keeps on producing glimpses of his brilliance that prove he can be one of the best strikers in the Premier League. Slot sprang to the defence of his player, who he felt was contributing much more than just goals: "I think he's having a good season. He scores goals, works hard for the team, and provides assists. I'm very pleased with him, especially after those two goals."
Arne Slot's tactical blueprint
Arne Slot's approach has been a consistent hot topic of conversation for Liverpool in 2025. The side invariably bosses matches, but profligacy in front of goal has been an ongoing problem. Looking back to the Brentford game, Slot said: "I couldn't have asked for more against Forest — we created so many chances against a team that rarely gives any away."
It was the same story against Brentford: dominating from the first to the last minutes, plenty of chances, hardly getting through. Coach Lampard knew that effectiveness was required but saluted the opponent: "Brentford never had to face 37 shots in one game this season. That gives credit to how the lads did."
The race in the Premier League
The win saw Liverpool reach a total of 50 points from 21 games to solidify their place atop the Premier League table. In fact, the third time that Liverpool has achieved this milestone of reaching 50 points at such an early stage underlines the sensational performance by this team in this competition.
Meanwhile, the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal remain to pile on the pressure near the top. But Liverpool's hard performance against Brentford, after their poor start, was all about persistence, which may well prove a good omen for their quest for the Premier League title.