Virgil van Dijk has challenged match-winner Darwin Nunez to now put together a consistent run of form after his goals helped Liverpool to a vital 2-0 win over Brentford on Saturday afternoon. Substitute Nunez scored twice in stoppage time to take the Reds seven points clear of Premier League title rivals Arsenal before Mikel Arteta's men were later held to a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the Emirates.

Nunez struck in the 91st minute after a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold before fellow substitute Harvey Elliott played in the Uruguay international to fire home a second two minutes later.

Despite the contributions, it's been a difficult campaign for Nunez, with Luis Diaz often preferred by Arne Slot as the centre-forward in his system while Diogo Jota has been sidelined over fitness issues.

READ MORE: What Mohamed Salah posted six minutes after Arsenal dropped points in Liverpool title battle

READ MORE: What happened in Liverpool away end after Darwin Nunez heroics spoke volumes as Arsenal collapse

The former Benfica striker has just four goals in the Premier League this term and Van Dijk has revealed that he always told his colleague to stay patient during his recent barren period.

He said: “What have I told Darwin? Don’t listen to all of you guys! (Laughing). No, I’m joking. Don’t take that as a serious comment. But I have said to him: ‘Stay calm because you will play again’.

"What he did today is what we need him to do - to have an impact and score important, big goals. As a striker you're judged on goals.

"Today was important for him with two goals and now it is on to the next. There will always be an opportunity for him to show himself again and be important for the team.

"Yes, he is in a good place. He is still learning. The South Americans help him with the language [barrier] and everything. He is part of the group and we need him. We are all really pleased with what he did.

“Everyone should be happy for him, but I am happy for everyone else - myself, and the whole team and the supporters. It is three points that we really wanted.”

Van Dijk added: “If you think of it in simple terms, if you come into the game you want to make a positive impact. The boys obviously did that in the last two games and it is very good for us.

“Every win feels big. It doesn't really matter if it is in first minute or last minute. It is just about the game. We have been very good throughout this season.

"If you look at the last few results maybe people say we have not had a good [calendar] year, but when you keep working hard as we did today that gives us the win. It was because we kept going. This is a very difficult place to win.

"Obviously because of the hard work and we kept going. The manner we kept going was very good, but a win is a win. Today was not unexpected. They tried to keep Wissa and Mbuema deep. We had to keep the ball or we would be in trouble."