Liverpool's Uruguayan striker #09 Darwin Nunez (R) chips the ball over Brentford's Dutch goalkeeper #01 Mark Flekken (L) to score the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on February 17, 2024. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool have gone five points clear at the top of the Premier League table after defeating Brentford 4-1 at the Community Gtech Stadium. 2nd place city are 2 matches behind.
Brentford made the bright start to the game with Ivan Toney going close twice in the opening 15 minutes of the game.
Liverpool have made an effort to start games slow which has been an ongoing theme throughout the season and it was only in the 34th minute when Liverpool broke the deadlock thanks to a well-taken finish by Darwin Núñez who was led through on goal thanks to a Diogo Jota header.
The Reds suffered two first-half injuries to Jota and Curtis Jones in worrying scenes just a week before their EFL Cup Final against Chelsea on February 28.
Despite the first-half injuries, Liverpool were well stocked with Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch as the former made an instant impact as Salah’s impressive pass found Alexis Mac Allister who took one touch in the box before finishing past Mats Flekken to double Liverpool’s lead.
Less than 15 minutes later, Salah got on the scoresheet himself thanks to a header from Cody Gakpo to score his first goal on his first game back from injury and international duties.
Liverpool continued their impressive performance in the second half but were pegged back by Ivan Toney’s goal that gave Brentford a glimmer of hope. That was quickly wiped away by Cody Gakpo’s 85th-minute strike that put Liverpool 4-1 up.
Brentford have proved to be a tricky opponent for Liverpool in the past but the Reds put in a strong performance away from home to thrash their opponents.
Despite first-half injuries to Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones, Liverpool remained dominant and got stronger as the game had gone thanks to their various substitutes.
While it was looking like Diogo Jota would claim the man of the match, he was forced off with a knee injury in the first half when Mohamed Salah replaced him.
The Egyptian King was impressive in his return to the first team as he assisted Alexis Mac Allister in Liverpool’s second goal before scoring himself to net his 15th Premier League goal of the season.
With their EFL Cup final against Chelsea next week, Liverpool take on Luton Town on Wednesday, February 25, at 20:00 PM (UK time).
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