Although Darwin Nunez rightly took the headlines for his match-winning brace, Arne Slot was eager to spotlight Harvey Elliott‘s affect within the win at Brentford.
Nunez got here off the bench to attain twice as Liverpool earned a late 2-0 victory in west London, however Elliott additionally produced a brilliant cameo of his personal.
The 21-year-old has been starved of alternatives within the Premier League this season however performed a key half in each targets at Brentford, helping the second.
And requested about Elliott’s position within the win, Slot took the chance to reward the younger midfielder and the power to alter the sport together with his bench.
“In all the opposite interviews there was a whole lot of concentrate on Darwin, as a result of he scored two targets, and each time I mentioned ‘yeah, however don’t neglect Harvey’,” Slot informed reporters.
Brentford 0-2 Liverpool
“He had a big effect on each targets as nicely.
“It’s so good for me, for us as a staff, that I’ve gamers that may influence the sport on the bench as nicely.
“This occurred at Forest with Jota and Kostas and at this time with Harvey and with Darwin.
“I additionally preferred Robbo and Curtis once they got here in, and Federico was just for 5 minutes however it’s good to have so many alternatives on the bench as nicely.
“That’s why they’ve to remain accessible, they’ve to remain match, as a result of one of many strengths of the staff can also be gamers who can influence the sport from the bench.”
There was, in fact, a cause Nunez’s identify dominated the post-match protection, significantly given the story round his irritating marketing campaign to date.
Even earlier than the sport, although, Slot insisted he had no points with the performances of his No. 9 and, vindicated, he backed that up in his press convention.
“Considered one of you requested me related issues earlier than the sport about Darwin and I didn’t agree then that he’s not having an excellent season,” the pinnacle coach defined.
“I believe he’s having an excellent season. He scores targets, he works very onerous for the staff, he assists.
“However he’s in competitors with a whole lot of good gamers, in order that’s why he’s not on the pitch each single sport.
“I’m very proud of him, not solely as a result of he scored two targets at this time – that in fact helps – however I’m very proud of the opposite performances he put in for us as nicely.”
