5 Liverpool talking points from Reds' 4-1 win vs Brentford

Liverpool comfortably beat Brentford at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday. Here are five talking points from the game.

Injuries and injuries and injuries

Nowhere else to start, really. In fact, this would have been the main talking point even if there hadn't been anyone going off in the game. Alisson Becker joined Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai as absentees from the starting XI.

It led to an unusual starting XI but certainly not the Reds' strongest one.

And then things got worse! Curtis Jones went off with what looked like an ankle problem. At least he walked off the pitch - Diogo Jota needed a stretcher for his knee injury. Darwin Nunez then didn't come out for the second half, but no news on that one at the time of writing.

The Reds barely have a squad right now.

Not very Nunez

Darwin Nunez further boosted his reputation as the least-predictable striker on the planet. His first-half goal saw him produce a ridiculously composed finish, driving through Brentford's half until he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Nunez then steadied himself and pulled off an incredible chip over Mark Flekken that really couldn't have looked any cleaner. This from a player who hit the post with an open goal earlier this season.

But you never know what you're getting from the Uruguayan. Sometimes that means he'll put in a world-class finish that makes him look clinical.

Salah is back

Things risked spiralling downwards after Liverpool's injuries. Certainly, the negativity could easily have taken hold as the Reds can't escape misfortunes right now.

Mohamed Salah was there, however, to remind everyone that it's not all doom and gloom. The Egyptian is back - his first Liverpool appearance since New Year's Day - and he's bang in form, it turns out.

Salah assisted Alexis Mac Allister for Liverpool's second goal before scoring the third himself. It means that over his last nine games for the Reds, stretching back to the start of December, the winger has 10 goals and assists (six goals, four assists).

Just what Liverpool need, especially if Jota is now missing.

Promising from Kelleher

There will be eyes on Caoimhin Kelleher over the coming week and potentially weeks, depending on Alisson's injury. The Irishman will play between the sticks in the Carabao Cup final - and likely against Luton Town in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Kelleher also started here and performed very well. He was very unfortunate to concede at all after a fine save ahead of Ivan Toney's goal. The goalkeeper produced another great one-handed save late on, too.

Shot-stopping has been the main criticism of Kelleher this season but he looked on-point here. If he can carry this form into the next few games, perhaps Liverpool won't miss Alisson too much.

Momentum builder

Liverpool have now reacted to their defeat at Arsenal with back-to-back wins - and that's despite an injury pile-up. You can't ask for much more and the Reds' title charge remains in place.

Yes, the injuries are a blow and potentially massive when push comes to shove. But we can take that negatively if the results suffer - for now, Liverpool are winning and on track to compete on four fronts.

Long may it continue.