Liverpool moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table after thrashing Frank Onyeka’s Brentford 4-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In the 35th minute, Darwin Nunez opened the scoring for the visitors with a lovely finish from close range, courtesy of a header assist from Diogo Jota, putting Jurgen Klopp’s team ahead.

Unfortunately, Jota, who suffered an injury following a clumsy landing with Christian Norgaard, could not finish the first half as he was substituted for Mohamed Salah, who had just recovered from injury.

Ten minutes after the break, Alexis Mac Allister doubled Liverpool’s lead with a cool finish, putting the ball between the legs of Nathan Collins and tapping it past the goalkeeper.

With Cody Gakpo assisting, Salah scored Liverpool’s third goal in the 68th minute after abysmal defending from Ben Mee and Collins, allowing the Egyptian to slot the ball past them and find the net.

In the 75th minute, Ivan Toney made it four goals in five games since returning from his ban, lashing a saved ball by Caoimhin Kelleher into the net from close range to pull one back for the hosts.

A clever assist by Luis Diaz in the 86th minute allowed Gakpo to go one-on-one with goalkeeper Mark Flekken and perfectly place the ball behind him to seal the win for Liverpool.

Toney almost got his brace towards the end of the match, but Kelleher’s impressive save prevented the England international’s effort off the shoulder from finding its way into the net.

Meanwhile, Brentford’s two Africa Cup of Nations returnees, Yoane Wissa and Onyeka, played 34 minutes each against Liverpool.

Liverpool will maintain their top position ahead of Manchester City, who are on 52 points but have two games in hand.