Liverpool 2-0 Brentford: Darwin Núñez Stars in Late Victory

Liverpool’s victory over Brentford showcased the Reds’ resilience and Darwin Núñez’s clinical edge. Analysed in depth during the Anfield Index Under Pressure Podcast, hosted by Dan Kennett and featuring Simon Brundish and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat, the discussion emphasised Liverpool’s growing momentum under manager Arne Slot.

Núñez Delivers When It Matters

Darwin Núñez has endured his fair share of scrutiny, but his brace against Brentford highlighted his growing confidence. Simon Brundish summarised the striker’s impact:

“Núñez scoring twice late on showed exactly why we bought him – movement, strength, and finishing. He’s finding that edge now.”

Núñez’s goals came during a physically demanding match that recorded Liverpool’s highest sprint count of the season at 204. Brundish noted:

“It was like a basketball game at times. Brentford made it scrappy, but Núñez provided clarity in the chaos.”

This win marks Liverpool’s continued success in a season where their attack has evolved significantly since Arne Slot took charge.

Tactical Highlights From the Brentford Game

The podcast delved deeply into the tactical battle at Brentford, with both Kennett and Brundish identifying key trends:

Penalty Box Dominance: Liverpool recorded 64 penalty box touches, a season-high for away games. Kennett observed,

“That’s the most we’ve ever had in a Premier League away game. It speaks to our attacking control.”

Attacking Overloads: Liverpool focused heavily on zone 14 and half-spaces, with four players positioned there during critical moments. Brundish said:

“It’s not just about dominating possession; it’s about being purposeful in those zones. That’s how we broke them down.”

Set-Piece Variety: Though goals didn’t come directly from set-pieces, the team’s creativity was evident. Kennett highlighted:

“We changed from outswingers to inswingers mid-game, and van Dijk had chances. You could see the intent to disrupt Brentford’s structure.”

Slot’s Tactical Adaptation and Squad Utilisation

The discussion also emphasised how Arne Slot’s Liverpool differs tactically from Jurgen Klopp’s era. Brentford’s defensive depth (their start distance was 28 metres from goal) required patience and intelligent ball movement. As Khalique-Loonat pointed out:

“Teams are playing much deeper against us. Brentford’s approach mirrored that – they looked for triggers to press but mostly hunkered down.”

Slot’s tactical tweaks, such as introducing substitutions to exploit Brentford’s fatigue, paid off. Kennett noted:

“Using five subs again was crucial. It’s pleasing to see Slot trust the squad depth.”

Brentford’s Challenge and Liverpool’s Response

Brentford’s pragmatic style caused Liverpool moments of difficulty. Simon Brundish described the game as:

“Scrappy but controlled. They had six shots on target, but Alisson made key saves to keep them out.”

Kennett added context to the defensive performance:

“Brentford’s expected goals (XG) were 0.72 – that tells the story. We kept them to low-probability chances.”

Despite Brentford’s physicality and counter-attacking attempts, Liverpool’s dominance shone through, especially in the second half. Núñez’s movement, combined with Liverpool’s relentless pressing, overwhelmed the opposition.

Liverpool’s Trajectory with Núñez Leading the Line

As Liverpool fans digest another crucial win, the Under Pressure Podcast’s analysis underscores key points: Darwin Núñez is hitting form, Arne Slot’s tactical vision is taking shape, and Liverpool’s resilience continues to grow. The win over Brentford not only bolstered their league campaign but also reinforced their attacking identity.

With stats and tactical insights forming the foundation, the Reds’ victory reflects a team increasingly comfortable under Slot’s leadership – and one primed for further success.