Brentford and Liverpool couldn’t manage a goal with any of the first 46 shots they took on Saturday, but Darwin Nunez did so with the two most important ones in stoppage time as the Reds escaped west London with all three points.
WATCH – Brentford v Liverpool full match replay
Arne Slot’s side amassed a healthy 3.45 xG on 37 shots over the course of 90-plus minutes, and Brentford at one point went 50 minutes without an attempt of their own, but still it was 0-0 when the clock hit 90:00 and headed for Scoreless Draw of the Season status. It wasn’t as if Liverpool weren’t getting good looks at goal (20 of the 37 came from 12 yards and in), but Brentford had defended heroically and the Reds were incredibly wasteful in front of goal until Nunez had a couple of can’t-miss attempts in the 91st and 93rd minutes.
MORE - Arne Slot reaction
Alas, the “how” of it all matters very little in the end as Liverpool (50 points) remain top of the Premier League table, seven points clear of 2nd-place Arsenal (equal on games played for about two hours).
Official petition to rename the Gtech: the Goal Ground
In 12 PL games at Gtech Community Stadium this season, 52 goals have been scored (29 by Brentford, 23 by the visitors). Of the 24 sides that took the field in those games, only two (both Brentford, both in the last four games) failed to score. More on the last four games: 0W-1D-3L, just 3 goals scored. Despite the fact that Brentford are now winless in four at home (after starting 7W-1D-0L), they continue to be right in games until the very end against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest. The Bees (28 points - 11th) have also won just one of their last seven PL games (1W-2D-4L) and look like a side that could do with some rest and reinforcements returning from injury.
Player ratings - Brentford vs Liverpool
What’s next?
- Liverpool vs Lille — Tuesday, 3 pm ET (Champions League)
- Liverpool vs Ipswich — Saturday, 10 am ET (next PL fixture)
- Crystal Palace vs Brentford — Sunday, 9 am ET
Brentford vs Liverpool live updates - by Andy Edwards
Brentford vs Liverpool final score: 0-2
Goalscorers: Darwin Nunez (90'+1, 90'+3)
GOAL! Brentford 0-2 Liverpool: Nunez makes it a stoppage-time double (90'+3)
GOAL! Brentford 0-1 Liverpool: Nunez turns it home from close range (90'+1)
Brentford starting lineup
Flekken - Roerslev, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter - Norgaard, Janelt, Yarmolyuk - Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Wissa
Liverpool starting lineup
Alisson - Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas - Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai - Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
How to watch Brentford vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (January 18)
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium — London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Thomas Frank’s Brentford pulled off a miraculous late comeback to draw at home against Manchester City on Tuesday. Trailing 2-0 with eight minutes to go, the Bees looked down and out. But they ended up drawing 2-2 and almost won it deep into stoppage time as they truly never give up and cause so many problems from crosses, set-pieces and on the counter. The Bees are sitting comfortable in midtable and are pushing for a top 10 finish.
Liverpool have drawn their last two games in the Premier League and battled to come from behind and grab a point at high-flying Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. Arne Slot was happy enough with that performance but Liverpool do look vulnerable on the counter and that is music to Brentford’s ears. Also, Liverpool are now just four points ahead of Arsenal in the title race but they do have a game in-hand.
Brentford team news, focus
The fact Brentford are solid in midtable is a bit of a miracle. Thomas Frank has had big injury issues to deal with all season long but he’s finally starting to get some big players back with Rico Henry’s return a huge plus. Wissa, Mbeumo and Schade are so good as a trio up front and they will take the game to Liverpool right from the start, while Damsgaard has been excellent in midfield.
OUT: Kristoffer Ajer (ankle), Ethan Pinnock (hamstring), Igor Thiago (knee), Aaron Hickey (thigh), Josh Dasilva (knee), Gustavo Nunes (back), Ryan Trevitt (Achilles)
Liverpool team news, focus
Diogo Jota will surely start this game after jumping off the bench and scoring with his first touch against Nottingham Forest. Luis Diaz has looked a little off it in recent weeks, while Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah continue to be dangerous out wide. Getting the balance right in midfield is also key and this feels like a game where Curtis Jones will come back in.
OUT: Joe Gomez (hamstring)
Brentford vs Liverpool prediction
This feels like a bad game tactically for Liverpool and Brentford will cause chaos and unsettle Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Co. Go for an entertaining draw. Brentford 2-2 Liverpool.