Liverpool moved up to second place in the Premier League thanks to two goals from Mohamed Salah

Liverpool moved up to second in the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Brentford at Anfield on Sunday, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s two goals.

Liverpool 3-0 Brentford: Reds back on track as Salah hits 200-goal milestone - Liverpool FC - This Is Anfield

The Egyptian scored in each half, and Diogo Jota added a superb third goal as the Reds won their ninth league game this season.

First half

Gakpo had the game’s first shot on goal, four minutes in. The Dutchman exchanged passes with Szoboszlai, but his 20-yard strike was blocked by Mark Flekken.

Brentford responded almost immediately, with Ethan Pinnock scuffing wide following a bout of pinball in the Reds penalty area.

On 16 minutes, Flekken saved Nunez at his near post following a nice feed from Salah, while Bryan Mbeumo fired over after a weak touch from Alexander-Arnold.

Nunez scored after 23 minutes, only to have his jubilation cut short by an assistant’s flag, with VAR ruling the Uruguayan had drifted slightly offside.

Flekken then brilliantly saved Van Dijk’s header, and though Nunez eventually guided the ball home with an acrobatic finish, he was denied yet again by an offside flag.

Just after the half-hour mark, Liverpool needed Alisson at his best, the Brazilian coming up huge to deny Mbeumo one-on-one, and the Reds subsequently went ahead six minutes before half-time.

Liverpool vs Brentford, live! Mohamed Salah scores twice - Score, live updates, how to watch, videos, stream - NBC Sports

Matip won the ball high up the field, giving Alexander-Arnold space to find Nunez. Salah scored his 11th goal of the season as the No.9 turned and fed him.

Nunez, who was at the center of everything, tested Flekken again with a 25-yarder, and Salah fired wide following a superb cross from Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool went in ahead at the break.

Second half

At the opening of the second period, Alisson headed a 25-yard free kick from Mathias Jensen over the crossbar, while Van Dijk and Matip made crucial saves to keep Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard at bay.

On 62 minutes, Salah scored his second goal of the afternoon, heading Tsimikas’ cross home at the far post after the left-back extended to keep the ball in play.

And 16 minutes from time, Jota collected Tsimikas’ pass before moving the ball onto his right foot and arrowing a magnificent shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.

To keep their clean sheet, the Reds needed both Van Dijk and Alisson to be alert, with the former hooking away from Neal Maupay on the line and the latter swatting away Pinnock’s headed effort.