Has Darwin Nunez just SAVED his Liverpool career?

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot defended Darwin Nunez in the pre-match press conference before the game against Brentford on Saturday.

He said: "Darwin will score his goals. He already did and he will again."

Slot was also forthright in admitting that he hadn't quite managed to get the best out of the Uruguayan.

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It's been a topsy-turvy two and a bit seasons for Darwin at Anfield but up until this week it appeared as though his Liverpool career was a lost cause.

Al-Hilal want him and could probably get him for £75 million this January or in summer.

The Reds' decision-makers will have to make up their minds about what to do about that interest soon.

Slot did not even trust Darwin enough to start the 25-year-old from the beginning in the Brentford game and opted to use Luis Diaz up top instead.

Nunez not trusted by Arne Slot

With Diogo Jota injured - yet again - the Colombian was trusted to lead the line despite being reported ill earlier in the week.

That looked like a damning indictment for the state of play at Anfield.

Having missed the game in midweek against Nottingham Forest - due to suspension - surely Darwin was the fit and fresh option to start at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Not so.

Slot persisted with Diaz although it's becoming ever more clear that the 28-year-old is not - nor will he ever be - the answer to the problem at No9.

But the Reds needed changes.

The chances were ticking upward and Liverpool were getting nowhere.

Has Darwin saved his Liverpool career?

They had in the region of 36 shots - six on target - across what was shaping up to be a fruitless outing in West London.

Even Darwin's earliest contributions from the bench were forgettable and a reminder why he was soon to be condemned to the Saudi Pro League.

One particularly poor effort had Trent Alexander-Arnold literally hopping mad.

But then in an instant, it appeared EVERYTHING changed.

From a scrappy Alexander-Arnold cut-back in injury time, Darwin found the crucial go-ahead goal that would put Liverpool SEVEN points clear in the title race.

What a time to get it. He took his shirt off after, beginning yet another count towards a suspension but today who cares?

Brentford went in search of an equaliser, leaving them perfectly exposed for a counter.

And as luck would have it, it was that man again. He smashed home a second goal, that looked like a massive F-You to all of those that wrote him off.

He pointed at his name on his Liverpool shirt after his first goal. This is who I am, this is what I do.

It feels like Darwin had reached a crossroads moment in his Liverpool career.

Now he could be set for liftoff and fire the Reds to the title.

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