Darwin Nunez spared Liverpool's blushes and prevented Arne Slot's team from having more Premier League points taken off them for the second time this week with an added-time brace.

The Reds headed into Saturday's game against Brentford off the back of a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, with Slot looking for an instant response from his team, who were four points clear in first prior to kickoff. Kostas Tsimikas was one of the changes made at left-back, as Slot looked to combat the Bees' breaking speed, dropping longtime servant Andy Robertson.

However, the Greek international had a nightmare afternoon having to deal with Brentford star man Bryan Mbuemo, who drew him into an early first-half yellow card. The Reds had their chances, the best coming through Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister.

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Slot turned to his substitutes bench, and it was Nunez who made the impact, scoring a brace in added-time to break Brentford's resolve. Nunez was picked out by Trent Alexander-Arnold in the penalty area and the striker tapped home to give Liverpool the lead.

Shortly after, he had his second, taking a touch inside and smashing home to seal three points. On an afternoon where Liverpool struggled in front of goal, Nunez provided the goods.

Winners

Nunez was Liverpool's savior, preventing the Reds from dropping four points in a single week. He was jeered by Brentford fans when he made his way onto the pitch, but he subsequently made them pay.

Ibrahima Konate was another shining light on a pretty bleak day for Liverpool. When fit, the defender is imposing at the back and comfortable on the ball in the Opposition's half. Konate had the speed to keep up and shut out the Bees' busy attackers.

Losers

Kostas Tsimikas didn't have a good game. Slot would've been looking for a big performance from the defender, who replaced Andy Robertson following the draw at Forest. However, Brentford's Bryan Mbuemo was a constant nuisance on Tsimikas' flank, and he caught the Liverpool defender sleeping on several occasions in the first half and also picked up a booking.

Mohamed Salah also had an off-day for the most part, struggling to stamp his authority on the game. The Egyptian played a few nice passes but rarely found himself in clear sight of goal.

Player ratings

Alisson Becker - 7. The goalie was called into action several times in the first half, but no effort required Alisson to stretch. Alisson dealt well with a dangerous free-kick in the second half, steering the ball away from danger. He also denied Mbuemo seconds later.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. The soon-to-be out-of-contract academy graduate fizzed in an excellent low cross in the 26th minute, but neither Diaz nor Gakpo were there to prod home. Provided the assist for Nunez.

Virgil van Dijk - 6. Usual performance from the Liverpool captain. Calm and composed when the Reds' backline was under attack by Brentford's pacey, direct players.

Ibrahima Konate - 7. Excellent defensive work just before half-time to deny Yarmoliuk. Konate also provided a calm outlet, progressing the ball for Liverpool.

Kostas Tsimikas - 4. It was a shaky start by the Greek, who was placed directly against Brentford's superstar Bryan Mbuemo. Twice, the left-back was caught out inside the first 10 minutes, and he received an early yellow card for a foul on the halfway line for a challenge on the Bees player.

Tsimikas was hooked nearly 20 minutes into the second half and replaced by Robertson—a miserable afternoon for the left-back.

Alexis Mac Allister - 7. The technician in Liverpool's midfield always looks to move the ball vertically. Mac Allister had a header go agonisingly wide in the second half, with the rippling of the net fooling the traveling away fans.

Ryan Gravenberch - 6. The midfielder received the ball in a good space in the 17th minute and nearly picked out the bottom left corner with a strike. Solid battling in the middle of the park, as expected.

Mohamed Salah - 5. It was a surprisingly quiet first half for Salah. He played a few decent passes, but there was nothing to shout about heading into half-time. Early on in the second half, he had a shot deflect behind for a corner, but he found himself well-tracked by Lewis-Potter on several occasions.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 7. Had a 32nd-minute shot deflect wide after a knockdown by Salah. A minute later, some neat trickery got him into another shooting opportunity, but Flekken denied him. Next was the crossbar after letting rip 25 yards from the goal. He left himself walking a tightrope heading into the second half after picking up a booking.

The midfielder started the second half well, too. Szoboszlai made a run beyond the defender after being picked out by Salah, but his effort wasn't on target.

Cody Gapko - 6. He had a golden opportunity to put Liverpool ahead five minutes from the break, but he got his shot wrong and rolled the ball past the far post. Gakpo made a good run early in the first half and was picked out by Diaz, but Flekken saved his effort. Subbed for

Luis Diaz - 6. It was a bright start, nearly finding the back of the net 11 minutes in. Diaz cut inside off the left onto his right foot, but his effort took a deflection and was cleared behind for a corner. He had another effort go wide a few minutes later, sending a header wide of the near post after being picked out by Konate.

Diaz was unlucky to be denied in the 62nd minute after having a stinging shot saved. Flekken made a mess of recovering the ball and appeared to bring Diaz down in the penalty area, but the referee dismissed calls for a spot-kick. His number was called shortly after, being replaced by Darwin Nunez.

Substitutes

Andy Robertson - 6. Not much for the veteran to do. He was resolute under pressure.

Darwin Nunez - 9. What an impact. Two quick-fire goals to seal victory for Liverpool. a huge confidence boost for the striker.

Curtis Jones - 6. Added some energy to the midfield.

Harvey Elliott - 6. Played his part in the win. A technical player. Tidy on the ball and assisted Nunez's second.

Federico Chiesa - N/A.