EPL: Nunez brace against Brentford extends Liverpool’s lead

Darwin Nunez scored twice in stoppage time to give Liverpool a 2-0 win over Brentford, giving them a seven-point lead in the Premier League after Bournemouth’s 4-1 win over Newcastle.

The Reds were about to drop points for the third time in a row until Nunez doubled his season goal tally in west London.

Nunez swept home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross before smashing in a second for a vital twist in the title race.

Liverpool had been wasteful in front of goal in a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in midweek and Arne Slot’s men nearly let another two points slip away.

Dominik Szoboszlai smashed a shot off the bar and Cody Gakpo failed to hit the target with a glorious chance to open the scoring before half-time.

On a rare quiet day for Mohamed Salah, Slot was forced to turn to Nunez to make an impact off the bench and he duly delivered.

The 25-year-old had not scored in the league since November but was in the right place to finish after a neat one-two between Harvey Elliott and Alexander-Arnold.

The second was created by substitute Elliott, who fed Nunez to cut inside and smash past Mark Flekken.