Liverpool secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday afternoon, thanks in large part to a game-changing performance from Darwin Núñez.
The Uruguayan striker entered as a second-half substitute and delivered a match-winning display that vindicated his manager, Arne Slot, who had predicted that Núñez would come good despite recent struggles.
The Reds started with a determined lineup, making just one change from their midweek draw against Nottingham Forest as Kostas Tsimikas stepped in.
Brentford, however, were eager to challenge, particularly targeting Liverpool’s left side through Bryan Mbeumo and Mads Roerslev. Early chances fell to Mikkel Damsgaard, who failed to convert with the goal gaping.
Liverpool grew into the game, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch forcing saves and rattling the crossbar, but a frustrating first half ended goalless despite their dominance.
That was also the theme of the second half until Darwin Nunez netted twice in stoppage time to prove Slot’s prediction right.
In the build-up to the game, Slot addressed Núñez’s form, defending his striker despite a barren run.
“I also see, and I don’t know if other people see this, the way teams defend our No. 9 is something you have to give credit to the other teams for,” Slot remarked. “It’s never ‘here Darwin, you can score.’ Every time we put in a cross I see a defender all over him.
“I see it, referees unfortunately don’t. It’s more difficult to score against a team like Forest because every time we had a chance they had six, seven, eight, nine, or 10 players in the box.
“Darwin will score his goals. He already did and he will again.”
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