Liverpool’s Title Hopes Revived by Núñez’s Late Heroics
Jan 18, 2025, 01:56 PM ET
LONDON — If you were among those Liverpool fans who had started to feel a bit jittery about the team’s title prospects, it’s time to take a deep breath and relax. The Reds have shown that they are still very much in the hunt for the Premier League crown, thanks to a dramatic late intervention from their Uruguayan forward, Darwin Núñez. In a game that seemed destined to end in a stalemate, Liverpool managed to snatch a 2-0 win against Brentford, with Núñez playing the role of savior.
As the fourth official held up the board indicating four minutes of additional time, it was Núñez, Liverpool’s most unpredictable player, who kept his cool amidst the chaos. Overlooked by manager Arne Slot for a starting position, Núñez watched from the bench as his teammates struggled to find the back of the net despite taking 37 shots, their highest in nearly nine years. But it was Núñez’s final two shots that made all the difference.
Núñez has had a challenging season, with only seven Premier League starts and these two goals marking his first in the league since November 9. This brings his season tally to just four, sparking rumors of a potential transfer. However, his performance in the latter stages of games is noteworthy. Eight of his 24 Premier League goals have come after the 75th minute, making him a valuable asset as a “super sub.” Since joining Liverpool in 2022-23, Núñez has been involved in more goals as a substitute than any other player, with 11 contributions (seven goals, four assists).
Manager Arne Slot praised Núñez, saying, “He scores goals. He works very hard for the team. He assists, but he’s in competition with a lot of good players. So that’s why he’s not every single game on the pitch. But I’m very happy with him, not only because he scored today two goals, that of course helps. But I’m very happy with the other performances he put in for us as well.”
Since the start of the year, Liverpool has struggled to maintain the ruthless edge that characterized their early-season form. In the first half against Brentford, they dominated with 19 attempts and an xG of 1.54 but failed to score. The absence of Diogo Jota was felt, as the front-three of Cody Gakpo, Luis Díaz, and Mohamed Salah created numerous chances but couldn’t convert. Salah alone created five opportunities, including a perfect pass to Gakpo, who missed a one-on-one chance.
Liverpool’s form has been inconsistent since their 5-0 victory over West Ham United, which extended their lead at the top to eight points. In the 20 days between that win and the Brentford game, they only managed to defeat League Two’s Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup. Virgil van Dijk dismissed any notion of a “crisis” after a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, and Slot echoed this sentiment, stating, “Nothing changed with us between now and the start of the season or the first half of the season. What you do see is that it’s at this moment of time, a bit harder for us to convert our chances into goals.”
Brentford, under Thomas Frank, continues to defy expectations, sitting 11th after this loss. They had their chances, with 11 shots and forcing Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson Becker into seven saves. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa were constant threats on the counter, exploiting the space left by Liverpool’s attacking setup.
As the game seemed destined for a goalless draw, Núñez had other plans. In the dying moments, Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a cross that Núñez converted, followed by a second goal where he found space in the box to score again. The away fans erupted in celebration, knowing they had witnessed a pivotal moment in the title race.
- Liverpool took 37 shots, their most in a game in almost nine years.
- Darwin Núñez has been directly involved in more goals as a substitute than any other player since 2022-23.
- Liverpool’s win over Brentford keeps them in the title race.
Originally Written by: Tom Chambers
