X reacts as Liverpool thrash Brentford to solidify top spot in Premier League

Liverpool breezed past Brentford with a 4-1 victory on Saturday lunchtime in the Premier League, avoiding a potential banana skin at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Despite losing several key players to injury in the first half in west London, the Reds secured a lead going into the break through Darwin Nunez's delightfully deft effort.

Alexis Mac Allister put Liverpool two ahead shortly after the restart and Mohamed Salah wrapped up all three points with a goal on his return from injury. While Ivan Toney did manage a consolation, Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool's three-goal lead with several minutes to go.

The result ensures Jurgen Klopp's side will finish the weekend top of the table regardless of results for Arsenal and Manchester City.

There was mixed team news for Liverpool prior to the game as they continued their charge for the Premier League title.

Salah was welcomed back to the bench by Klopp, but goalkeeper Alisson was missing with a hamstring injury - not what the Reds needed up against the in-form duo of Neal Maupay and Toney.

Injuries also wreaked havoc on Liverpool during the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium, the Reds having to replace both Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota due to fitness concerns.

With the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Thiago also sidelined at present and a Carabao Cup final to come next weekend, Liverpool supporters were left cursing their luck.

Despite a difficult first half in west London for Liverpool, with Brentford posing plenty of attacking threat, Klopp's side did take a one-goal lead into the break thanks to a sublime finish by Nunez.

The Uruguayan raced through on goal with no Brentford bodies around him and produced a delicate scooped finish beyond the onrushing Mark Flekken. A graceful goal from 'Captain Chaos'.

First-half goalscorer Nunez was also withdrawn at half-time with what was likely another slight injury for the league leaders, but it didn't stop the Reds doubling their advantage ten minutes after the break.

The returning Salah may have missed a fantastic opportunity moments earlier, but he fired a wonderful pass into Mac Allister in the penalty area, with the Argentine poking past Flekken after a lovely first touch.

Salah turned from provider to finisher with just over 20 minutes remaining and it was an archetypal goal from the Egyptian to put the game to bed.

The winger raced through on goal after a mix-up in the Brentford backline, showing his muscle to hold off the defender and composure to find the bottom corner.

Toney did pull a goal back for the hosts shortly after Liverpool's third, but Gakpo converted after another piece of poor Brentford defending with four minutes to play.

The result means Liverpool move five points clear at the top of the table before Arsenal and Man City take to the field later in the day, with the Reds navigating a tricky fixture in the dreaded early kick-off slot.

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