'Very good': Arne Slot left seriously impressed by just how good two Liverpool players were vs Brentford

Today at 02:35 AM

Darwin Nunez’s late brace for Liverpool in their 2-0 victory against Brentford will mean that the much-maligned striker will rightfully grab the headlines.

With Arne Slot’s side scoring as late on as in the 91st and the 93rd minute, Nunez’s instincts as a number nine seemed to have come alive — being at the right place and the right time to score a tap-in for his opener before blasting the ball past Mark Flekken to cap off a crucial away win for the visitors.

Throughout his time at Liverpool, Slot’s substitutions have worked their magic and on Saturday, his decision to bring on Nunez, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa proved to be a masterstroke once again; with the Englishman playing a role in setting up the opener, Chiesa assisting the second and the Uruguayan scoring both.

How Liverpool celebrated Nunez’s first goal against Brentford emphasises the importance of the former Benfica marksman’s strike.

Liverpool deserved to beat Brentford, according to Virgil van Dijk and the statistics prove he has a point — with a superior xG (Expected Goals) of 3.45 in comparison to the hosts’ at 0.72 while the visitors also took a whopping 37 shots, with eight of them on target.

After the contest, Arne Slot was quizzed about the important role both Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate played in his side’s win at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Arne Slot hails Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate after Liverpool vs Brentford

Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have been the Premier League’s best attacking duo this season — making Brentford the first team to have two players with 10 or more goals in the English top-flight.

Thomas Frank has managed to build a dangerous attack as a whole, as evidenced by his side’s heroic comeback from two goals down against Manchester City in their recent 2-2 draw.

Arne Slot was mindful of Brentford’s threat going forward and when asked about the strong foundation Van Dijk and Konate have provided Liverpool at the back, he was full of praise for his defensive stalwarts.

Slot said via Liverpool’s official website: “A lot, that’s clear, because I think today, also you saw more than in the Forest game… I think if I would have been the manager of Brentford, I would have told you there were moments for us to win the game, because there were moments for them to win the game.”

“Most of those moments were defended really well by Ibou and Virgil, they went in a one-v-one against them in a counter-attack but we pushed them wide really well, which helped Alisson [Becker] to save those shots. I emphasised on that in the pre-match meeting, [Bryan] Mbeumo likes it on his left and scores a lot by going inside.”

“Of course, one of the reasons we’re so high in the league table is because we have two and four very good centre-backs.”

Van Dijk instantly impressed Arne Slot at Liverpool and once again this season, the former Feyenoord boss was able to rely on his countryman’s incredible reading of the game and leadership at the back.

Arne Slot has lauded Konate’s attitude and after looking rusty against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur upon his injury, it was a return to form for the Frenchman.

Liverpool now a six-point lead over Arsenal with a game in hand, with Mikel Arteta’s side drawing 2-2 against Aston Villa on Saturday.

While the title race is far from over, the Reds’ latest triumph seems like it was worth its weight in gold — considering the nature of the result.

Van Dijk and Konate stats in Liverpool vs Brentford

Van Dijk and Konate showcased why they have a case for being the best centre-back partnership in the league.

Often, Brentford threatened Liverpool on the break.

But time and again, Van Dijk and Konate saved the day for Liverpool, making crucial tackles and last-ditch challenges, as their respective statistics indicate.

Van Dijk and Konate’s combined 15 successful tackles, clearances and interceptions highlights how much defending they had to do against Thomas Frank’s side.

But both centre-backs did not put a foot wrong, misplacing four passes during the clash as well.

With how expansive Liverpool’s style of play is, they commit several bodies in attack.

As a result, Arne Slot’s approach to the game demands two centre-backs who are extremely athletic, enjoy the art of defending and are able to defend both inside the box and out wide.

Van Dijk and Konate fit his system to a tee, which is why both of them are having terrific seasons.