Darwin Nunez came to Liverpool's rescue against Brentford on Saturday with two stoppage-time strikes, though he may have been lucky to still be on the field when he put his second in the net. That is according to former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher, who has labelled the Uruguayan 'a very lucky boy'.

The clock struck 90 minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening with Liverpool held at 0-0 by their hosts. They were minutes away from more dropped points, though substitute Nunez rose above recent scrutiny and questions of his future by smashing a duo of strikes beyond Mark Flekken.

With Arsenal later capitulating to draw with Aston Villa, it marked the start of a major turnaround for the Reds in this season's Premier League title race.

READ MORE: Diogo Jota injury latest as Liverpool forward absent from training

READ MORE: Liverpool get January transfer green light for £19m potential Mohamed Salah replacement

After his first, a tap-in from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross, Nunez ran towards the away supporters and whipped off his shirt in celebration - instantly deserving of a yellow card.

Then moments later prior to his second goal, the striker was seen closing down opposite defender Nathan Collins in the Bees' penalty area. A late stamping challenge caught the top of Collins' foot, who went to ground.

"Interesting the referee didn’t give a free-kick. Not giving a free kick negated the second yellow card," ex-referee Gallagher questioned on Sky Sports' Ref Watch on Monday. He added: "If he’s given a free-kick it would have been interesting to see what he would have given."

As alluded to, on-field referee for the clash, Andy Madley, saw nothing wrong with the scenario and allowed play to continue. VAR Paul Tierney also did not seek to change the outcome.

Blasting Nunez, Sky Sports pundit and former Red Stephen Warnock said: "It’s clumsy. I think it’s a part of his game that he has to improve.

"He gets the booking for taking the shirt off then he does that. You’re on the crest of a wave from scoring a couple of goals, but you could be suspended for a couple of games off the back of doing something so stupid.

"You don’t get your opportunity and everyone goes: 'it's your own fault'. He's a very lucky boy. Should have been a second yellow."