Liverpool strengthened their Premier League title ambitions with a 2-0 win over Brentford on Saturday after Darwin Nunez provided two goals from the substitutes' bench. The Uruguay international struck a stoppage-time brace to send the Reds seven points clear before rivals Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa later that day.

Nunez struck in the 91st minute after Trent Alexander-Arnold low cross into the box before he wrapped things up in the 93rd from fellow substitute Harvey Elliott's pass into the penalty area.

The Reds now entertain Ipswich Town next Saturday at the same time the Gunners are hosted by Wolves at Molineux. But you knew all of that, of course. What you might have missed, however, were a series of intriguing subplots at the Gtech Community Stadium. As ever, here are our best 'moments missed'.

READ MORE: What Mohamed Salah posted six minutes after Arsenal dropped points against Aston Villa

READ MORE: 'The truth is' - Darwin Nunez makes honest 'rough patch' admission and new Liverpool pledge

Alexander-Arnold makes frustrations known

As the Reds continued to search for the all-important opener at the Gtech, substitute Nunez took a pass under control that was perhaps meant instead for Cody Gakpo before shrugging off a couple of challenges as he steadied himself to shoot.

After eventually gaining his balance, the shot from outside of the box was wayward and sailed well over Mark Flekken's bar, much to the chagrin of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was visibly and audible unhappy at the strike from the No.9

The vice captain was clearly frustrated at the ongoing inability to break Brentford down and felt the decision to shoot from Nunez was a wasted opportunity as the league leaders continued to probe for a vital goal. His annoyance was obvious to those who caught a glimpse of them after the Nunez effort.

Alexander-Arnold needn't have worried, it was eventually his cross for Nunez that helped break the deadlock and secure what could yet be a huge win in this season's title race.

Salah delighted with Elliott

A clearly delighted Mohamed Salah was moved to give Harvey Elliott a pat on the back and a ruffle of the hair as he made his way towards the Gtech Community Stadium exit after the game.

Elliott had chosen to give up a few minutes of his time to speak to the assembled press after the game, meaning those asking the questions were tied up with that interview when Salah made his own beeline for the team coach.

As a result, it meant Salah did not have to give any polite refusals to any interview requests of his own as the reporters were already deep in conversation with the Egyptian's team-mate. Salah was clearly appreciative of his colleague's decision to go on the record and gave him a quick embrace while he chatted as the 21-goal top scorer quickly exited towards the bus. Talk about taking one for the team.

Instead, Salah set tongues wagging post-match with the curious timing of his upload of a picture he took with Darwin Nunez, which made its way on to social media just six minutes after the final whistle of Arsenal's draw with Aston Villa. Innocent coincidence? Or mischievous Mo? Perhaps only he knows.

Slot winces at Nunez challenge

After Nunez had been booked for removing his shirt in celebration of the first goal, it was left to Slot to offer a very obvious wince to those who caught his reaction on the monitor moments later, after the goalscorer had thundered into a risky challenge inside the Brentford box.

Slot knew his No.9 had skirted close to the edge of a sending-off after a mistimed challenge on Nathan Collins just seconds after the opener and his pitchside reaction revealed as much as he let out a visible grimace at the tackle. Fortunately for Liverpool, Nunez was not given a second booking for the attempt to win the ball and completed the game by adding a second.

"It would have been realistic if that was a yellow," Slot later said. "I couldn't have complained if he had got a second yellow for this foul. So we were a bit lucky in this situation but being lucky once in a while is nice."

No habla Ingles, Darwin?

Darwin Nunez was flanked by Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister as he emerged out of the dressing room as Liverpool filed away from the ground at around 6pm on Saturday.

Reporters huddled by the exit door asked if Mac Allister might like to give a minute or two of his time to reflect on a vital victory, but the Argentina World Cup winner wasted little time attempting to shift the focus.

"He is the star of today," Mac Allister said, pointing at a beaming Nunez, trying to divert media duties on to his colleague in the process. "He's the one you want [to speak to]."

It was then asked if the former Brighton star could at least then act as the interpreter when it was suggested Nunez's English is not quite yet at the level to give an interview to the media.

No dice, as it turned out but the match-winner did at least speak in his native tongue to Sky Sports after the game in what was an unflinchingly honest assessment.

More stick, less carrot

Eleven minutes were on the clock when Arne Slot dished out the first admonishing of the afternoon for his players. On this occasion, it was Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk who were all the subject of the forthright instructions from their head coach as Liverpool prepared to take a free-kick into the penalty area.

All three players could be seen turning back and listening to what their manager had to say, which, judging by the looks on all three faces, was less than complimentary. Slot clearly wanted a different approach for the delivery into the box and as the players received the tactical instructions from their boss, it was clear they were being told the plan in no uncertain terms.

Perhaps playing to the gallery, however, Slot turned to his bench after the exchange with the players and immediately flashed a grin to his coaching staff, making it known that the frustrations that were aimed in the direction of the pitch were perhaps somewhat performative in an effort to inspire a response from them.

Slot on this occasion clearly felt that more stick and less carrot was needed for his players, even if the glint in his eye quickly replaced the bass in his voice to Van Dijk, Szoboszlai and Alexander-Arnold.