Liverpool flew out of the blocks back in August, emerging as serious title contenders, but their momentum had shown signs of slowing in recent weeks.
Slot’s side dropped nine points in their opening 18 fixtures, losing one and drawing three, but let slip four points in two games prior to facing Brentford.
After 90 minutes of Liverpool’s trip to London, it appeared another two would go begging. However, they showed spirit and resilience to get the job done.
Arsenal failed to maintain pace later in the day when squandering a two-goal lead during a dramatic eight-minute spell in the second half against Aston Villa.
“Liverpool scoring two goals in injury time – and Arsenal doing that, it’s a massive swing – I would be shocked if Liverpool didn’t win the league now,” former Gunner Paul Merson said on Sky Sports.
Liverpool’s late victory might just prove the catalyst required over the coming weeks to land the big prize in Slot’s first season at the club.
“A big day in the title race and it has swung even further for Liverpool – there are some real dejected faces in the Arsenal crowd,” Gary Neville said on Sky Sports.
Arsenal were flying when the clocked ticked into the 55th minute as Kai Havertz wheeled away to celebrate their second against Villa after Gabriel Martinelli had opened the scoring.
But just 13 minutes later, Villa were level courtesy of Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.
-The Gunners rallied and thought they had snatched a winner just three minutes from time when Mikel Merino’s shot went in off Havertz, but the goal was ruled out after a video assistant referee (VAR) check for handball.
Arsenal have dropped 12 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, their most in a single campaign since 2019-20 (21).
“We were unbelievable. So proud of the way we played, how dominant, how fluid we were and how much we put into it,” boss Mikel Arteta told BBC Sport.
“We played three games in six days. So proud of them, but at the same time so disappointed. We deserve more. We didn’t get it, and we are sad because of that.
“There are moments, and obviously they [Liverpool] managed to do that [win].They made the subs, and the subs made the impact and changed the game.
“On our side it was the opposite, even after conceding the two goals very close to each other. The danger was that I knew half the team could go downhill because we were physically drained.”
Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have also been touted as potential title rivals to Liverpool in recent weeks.
But the Magpies’ 4-1 home defeat by Bournemouth earlier on Saturday left them fourth and 12 points adrift, while third-placed Nottingham Forest are nine points shy as they host bottom club Southampton on Sunday.
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