Brentford 0-1 Liverpool – Premier League: Live score, teams news and latest updates as Darwin Nunez breaks the deadlock

It was a whirlwind of a first-half that I didn’t want to stop. While we wait for the two teams to return, why not re-watch Darwin Nunez’s lovely opener.

You could easily watch this on repeat, what a goal.

And breathe…

Well, what a first-half that was. Darwin Nunez broke the deadlock win in an unfamiliar composed fashion, on 35 minutes, with a georgeous chip.

However, serious injuries to Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota – who went off on a stretcher – are of huge concern to the visitors.

It did pave the way for a return of Mo Salah, but we are yet to see too much from him.

I hope this break doesn’t take too long, I want to see more of that ASAP!

Sorry about this, in all the excitement of the match I forgot to share there is eight added minutes.

No surprise there, there have been two major injuries.

That’s a big let-off for Brentford.

Luis Diaz has been his electrifying self today, and he raced down the lefthand side there, before cutting back to Mo Salh.

It looked like the Egyptian wasn’t expecting it and it bounces into the hands of Mark Flekken.

That could have been a brilliant return for Salah.

This game is turning feisty now.

Both sides are smashing into challenges. The atmosphere is ramping up with every tackle.

It feels like an old school fixture.

Not a sight you like to see, Diogo Jota is beeing stretchered off.

It really doesn’t look good for the Portuguese forward, you fear he could be on the sidelines for an extended period of time.

However, it means Mo Salah returns to the field a lot earlier than expected.

How will he fair in his first match back.

Liverpool are in full control now, Brentford rally need to ride this period out before half-time.

As I type this, Diogo Jota is down in pain – surely not another injury.

It was another coming together and it looked nasty. Jota has been brilliant for them today, they will desperately not want to lose him.

Wow, what a goal!

We don’t often see composure from Darwin Nunez, but he showed it at exactly the right time there.

Virgil van Dijk launches it forward for Diogo Jota to flick on into Nunez’s path. The Uruguayan races through on goal before calmly chipping Mark Flekken.

A big goal for Liverpool, and for Nunez. He definitely enjoyed that one, as did Jurgen Klopp, and I’m not surprised.

Advantage to the visitors.

And there it is.

Curtis Jones couldn’t continue, Ryan Gravenberch comes on in his place.

Huge blow for the Reds, exactly what they didn’t need.

Another injury issue for Liverpool it seems.

Curtis Jones has been down for a long time after he got into a tangle with Christian Norgaard.He is down holding his knee.

It was just a coming together, there was nothing in it, but Jones seems to be striuggling here.

Not good for Liverpool.

Things have calmed down in the last couple minutes. Liverpool have started to get hold of the ball the majority of the time.

After a long passage of play Luis Diaz nods a header just wide. It was a tough chance, he was facing the wrong way and tried to flick it backwards.

As Liverpool hold onto the ball more though, they are still very open to the counter-attack. I wouldn’t be surprsied if that is where a goal comes from in this game.

Big save from Mark Flekken!

He does well to tip a thunderous strike from Diogo Jota over the bar, it would have been a spectacular goal.

It is hard to keep up there are so many chances. Both sides showing their attacking prowess.

Brentford are just so dangerous on the counter-attack.

Once again Liverpool are caught out and Ivan Toney races through, but Van Dijk nudges him off balance and his strike goes into the hands of Caoimhin Kelleher.

Football is a game of razor thin margins and we just saw it there.

Brentford thought they had a peanlty as Alexis Mac Allister brings down Ivan Toney, but it’s deemed to be just outside the area.

Toney’s resulting free-kick is saved.

Narrowly wide!

Neal maupay and Ivan Toney have worked well together up top so far, and they nearly combined to give Brentford the lead.

Maupay drives into the box and feeds in Toney, who pulls the trigger, but it dribbles past the far post.

This is end-to-end.

Big chance for the visitors!

It comes the way of Conor Bradley after he jinks around a number of players before toe-poking an effort at Mark Flekken.

He is some talent, Bradley.

Darwin Nunez is always a live wire isn’t he. Box office to watch.

Hew does well do dart towards the byline and pull back a cross, but there is noone there in a purple shirt and Brentford clear.

There has been lots of counter-attacking from both sides so far. Maybe things will settle soon, but I love watching this type of game.

Keep the intensity going!

Brentford have started this match on the front foot, and they have had their first chance.

It all starts with a long throw-in on the left hand side. Then, after some good work, Vitaly Janelt finds himself in space in the area, but he drags his shot wide.

A lively start to this one – just what we wanted!

Here we go!

We are underway at the GTech Community stadium, the atmosphere is bubbling.

Brentford start the match six points above the relegation zone, while Liverpool are two points clear at the top of the table.

They would both love a win, but who will get it? Or maybe it will be a draw – let’s hope not 0-0…

Kick-off his fast approaching now and I can’t wait. I wish I had a fast-forward button on life to skip to the match.

The Liverpool players have been out there doing their drills, as have Brentford. Both sides are back in now after their final preparations.

Next stop: kick-off!

Ivan Toney has netted three goals in the Premier League since his return.

After so long out of the game, he is enjoying putting on a show for Brentford fans again.

Will he put one on today?

How big is this news for Liverpool.

Alisson has been a rock for Liverpool this season, and for years, bar that mishap at Arsenal, so how will they cope without him.

Caoimhin Kelleher came in for the big Brazilian last week and held his own, and he will hope to put in another strong performance today.

However, I reckon Jurgen Klopp won’t be keen on the idea of Alisson being out for too long. It will be interesting to see how bad the injury is.

Ever since Jurgen Klopp revealed that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, rumours have been circling on his potential replacemen.

Could Thomas Frank fit the bill at Liverpool?

Personally, I don’t see why not. he plays vibrant attacking football that the fans would love.

He has done an amazing job at Brentford and earned high praise for the position he has got them to.

I think it could be his time to make the next step.

Do you agree?

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to TNT Sports, prior to the match.

On his 100th Premier League Game at the helm:

As with everything in life, you have more experience, you’ve tried it before. There was a little bit more a buzz around the first game in many ways so it feels natural.

But on the flip side I think it’s important to remind myself that it’s a big privilege to be here, for me for all of us, that’s important. ‘

On how they can hurt Liverpool:

Again, the foundation needs to be there and then we can add a bit. We know we are very dangerous going forward as well.

We always try to score goals. When we want to play in behind we do that and when we want to cross we cross it. And that way we’re difficult to handle sometimes.

The solidity needs to be there and we need to be able to attack strongly

Former Liverpool striker, Peter Crouch, has been talking about the return of Mo Salah on TNT Sports.

There’s nothing worse [for a defender], 75 minutes and you see Mo Salah getting ready to come on with his pace and trickery.

Obviously we haven’t seen what he’s like, he’s maybe carrying a slight injury or he has had an injury when he was away so he’ll need time to get up to fitness but the front three have adapted well while he’s been away.

[Diogo] Jota coming back and [Darwin] Nunez among them as well.

I hope I have not jinxed it with my earlier comment, but this match is surely set-up to be a cracker. It usually gives us goals.

So, we want to hear from you. What are your predictions?

Will Liverpool do the double over Brentford, or can the Bees spoil their title charge?

Let us know what you think in the comments!

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has spoken to TNT Sports before the match:

He certainly seems fired up.

‘We obviously go first this weekend, but we know how difficult it is here. Last year we struggled at Brentford, so we know it’s going to be a tough game today.

‘We need to be ready, to fight for every ball and hopefully if we do that then we’ll have enough to get the three points.

It is unusual to see a Brentford lineup without Ethan Pinnock in it, however the Bees are going to have to do without him today.

This is the first time Pinnock has not featured in a Bees starting XI October 1 2022.

That is a crazy stat.

Yoane Wissa is also on the bench.

Brentford have made just the one change to the side that beat Wolves 2-0 at Molineux last week and it’s an enforced one as Ethan Pinnock misses out through injury – Kristoffer Ajer replaces him.

It is also noticable how strong the Brentford bench is. This is looking like it could be another tasty game between the two sides.

Or have I jinxed it…

Well, Mo Salah is on the bench.

Liverpool make just the two changes, with Conor Bradley replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate comes in for Jarrell Quansah.

It’s a strong lineup from the Reds, but will it be enough to beat the Bees.

The excitement is only building now.

Liverpool have arrived at the GTech Community Stadium, and there is a certain somebody among their ranks.

Mo Salah is in the building, now the question is whether he will start from the off, we will find out in just a few moments!

Liverpool won’t enjoy the sight of this man.

Yoane Wissa loves a goal against the Reds at home, will he start against them on his return from injury?

In 2021 he netted a 82nd minute equaliser in a 3-3 draw with Jurgen Klopp’s side, while in January last year he scored Brentford’s second as they went on to beat the Reds 3-1.

A big boost for the Bees.

With all the injuries Liverpool have been racking up over the past few days, the potential return of Mo Salah could be huge for them.

The Egyptian forward sustained a hamstring injury during the Africa Cup of Nations, and hasn’t adorned the red of Liverpool since their 4-2 victory over Newcastle United on New Years Day.

He may make his return today though – he was pictured taking part in full training earlier this week.

Will he start, will he be on the bench? I guess we will have to wait and see.

The anticipation is killing me!

While Jurgen Klopp may not like them, I love a 12.30pm kick-off.

We have a tasty one in store for you today as Liverpool are in London to take on Brentford.

The Gtech Community Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for the Reds in recent times – they have recorded only one point from the six on offer in their two visits there. They will be wanting to change that today.

If Liverpool win, they go five points clear at the summit of the Premier League, even if for only a couple of hours. However, drop points and it could be another major moment in this pulsating title race.

Get yourselves comfortable and stay with us, we will bring you all the live updates in what promises to be another exciting match.

You won’t want to miss it!