Slot Praises Liverpool Spirit After Dramatic Win at Brentford | OneFootball

Nunez Inspires Late Liverpool Surge as Slot’s Side Edge Brentford Thriller

Darwin Nunez delivered the perfect super-sub display, coming off the bench to fire Liverpool to a dramatic stoppage-time victory at Brentford. With the Reds seemingly set to drop two vital points in the Premier League title race, Nunez pounced twice in as many minutes to secure a 1-0 win at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Arne Slot’s side had dominated for large periods, but frustration loomed as they squandered multiple opportunities. Enter Nunez, who latched onto a Trent Alexander-Arnold cut-back in the 91st minute before finishing again just 121 seconds later. His late heroics ensured Liverpool remained at the league summit, but Slot admitted the breakthrough had felt frustratingly elusive.

Slot’s Doubts Over Liverpool’s Cutting Edge

For all of Liverpool’s attacking dominance, there was an air of déjà vu about their wastefulness in front of goal. Slot candidly admitted he feared another evening of missed chances before Nunez’s late double salvaged the points.

“Yes, of course I had doubts about that because before we scored the two goals it felt as if I was looking at the same game again and again and again and in the same pattern,” Slot acknowledged.

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“I said it already a few times in other interviews that against [Manchester] United everybody was focused on the [Harry] Maguire chance, but [in] the seven minutes before we had three open chances. So many times in recent weeks – against Tottenham as well – we missed a lot of chances, against [Nottingham] Forest we missed a lot.”

Liverpool’s profligacy has been a recurring theme in recent weeks, with Slot repeatedly pointing to their xG (expected goals) dominance. The Reds had 37 shots on target against Brentford but left it until the dying moments to make them count.

Nunez’s Determination Pays Off

Despite coming under scrutiny in recent weeks, Slot has remained steadfast in his belief in Nunez. The Uruguayan has endured an inconsistent season, but his hard work, movement, and finishing ability have kept him in contention for regular minutes.

“A reporter asked me similar things before the game about Darwin, and I didn’t agree then that he’s not having a good season,” Slot explained.

“I think he’s having a good season, where 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 but that, of course, helps – but I’m very happy with the other performances he put in for us as well.”

With competition fierce in Liverpool’s attacking ranks, Nunez’s ability to make a game-changing impact from the bench could prove invaluable as the title race heats up.

Clinical Edge Needed for Title Push

Liverpool’s inefficiency in front of goal is becoming a talking point, and Slot made it clear that the team’s performance levels are still high – even if the final touch is sometimes missing.

“The first one was a long build-up, the second one was a counter-attack. He can, of course, score his goals against a low block because he’s a striker and he’s a threat in crosses as well. Immediately after he came on, he had quite a good chance when Robbo [Andy Robertson] crossed it in.”

Liverpool’s relentless attacking play eventually wore Brentford down, but Slot was well aware of the narratives that would have surfaced had his side failed to find the net.

“If we would not have scored today in the last five minutes, then the headlines would have been ‘Liverpool drop points again’ and no-one would have told you [about] 37 shots on target. What a display. How many teams were able against Brentford to have 37 shots on target during a game?”

That ability to create chances will be crucial in the title run-in, but Slot knows his side must be more ruthless in front of goal.

Looking Ahead: Liverpool’s Finishing Must Improve

As Liverpool battle to stay ahead in the Premier League title race, Slot remains focused on performances rather than just results. However, he acknowledges that in football, the narrative always revolves around winning and losing.

“So, this is the industry we work in. As a manager, the team, the players, we all accept this and we all understand that there is a lot of focus on if it doesn’t go well and not as much on the fact if you have a great performance.”

“We are in an industry where it’s about winning and losing – and not about if you play beautiful football. People only enjoy good football, beautiful football if you win. Otherwise, there’s no focus at all on the performance.”

Liverpool’s ability to convert chances into goals will be the defining factor in whether Slot’s debut season ends in glory. With Nunez rediscovering his goalscoring touch, the Reds will hope their finishing problems are a thing of the past as they push towards silverware.