Mohamed Salah staged a triumphant return, sealing Liverpool's 4-1 victory over Brentford as they continue to lead the Premier League charge despite grappling with a series of injuries on Saturday.
Coming off the bench to replace the injured Diogo Jota, Salah marked his first appearance for Liverpool since their New Year's Day triumph. Recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah swiftly made an impact, notching his first goal for the Reds since the Newcastle game.
The 31-year-old's 19th goal in all competitions this season set the tone for Liverpool's sixth win in their last seven league matches. Darwin Nunez, often criticized, had earlier given Jurgen Klopp's side the lead with a stunning chip just before halftime at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Alexis Mac Allister extended Liverpool's advantage in the second half with his second goal of the season. Although Brentford's Ivan Toney managed to pull one back, Cody Gakpo's late goal secured Liverpool's five-point lead at the top.
As Liverpool's treatment room becomes increasingly crowded with injuries, Klopp faces challenges with the upcoming League Cup final against Chelsea on February 25, along with participation in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Conor Bradley, returning from compassionate leave after his father's passing, filled in at right-back for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. Despite the victory, Klopp faced setbacks with first-half injuries to Jota and Curtis Jones, raising concerns about the team's fitness.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank had previously praised Liverpool as "the best offensive team in the league," a sentiment echoed in their performance. Nunez's goal, initiated by a clearance from Virgil van Dijk, exemplified Liverpool's attacking prowess.
Despite Salah's initial missed opportunities, he redeemed himself with a well-placed pass that set up Mac Allister's goal. Salah sealed the victory in the 68th minute, displaying precision and power with a composed strike into the far corner.
While Toney managed to score for Brentford, Liverpool had the last say with Gakpo capitalizing on Nathan Collins' misjudged clearance in the 86th minute, securing the comprehensive win.