'Cheating scum!' - Fans left in utter disbelief as Liverpool hero Darwin Nunez somehow escapes blatant red card for dangerous lunge in Brentford game that referee bizarrely ignored

Just before Liverpool secured a 2-0 win at Brentford, thanks to substitute Nunez's late double, the Uruguayan scythed down Collins but referee Andy Madley did not give him a caution. The 25-year-old was already on a yellow card after being booked for taking his shirt off when celebrating his first goal but the officials did not feel the need to dismiss Nunez. As a result, fans raged on social media, calling the Reds "cheating scum".

@Thisistruth19 posted on X: "No red for Nunez??? Oh f*ck off VAR. just give the title to Liverpool already. Cheating scum!"

@D_Reinehrtz tweeted: "Saw the Nunez goal being a CFC fan I have no issues with any team but that was a red card for the challenge just before full time xD it's LFC thus decisions are different ref even hugged TAA xD after Full time whistle speaks volumes haha 😂 #PL 😂 refz and VAR is a joke 🤣."

@CB__2022 commented: "How was Nunez not sent off at the end Jamie (Carragher)? F*cking shocking challenge on Collins. On a booking as well. Where was VAR?"

@Ainm91 put: "Nunez should have seen a second yellow after his second goal. That tackle on Collins was shocking."

And @PowerBoy__ added: "Explain to me why Nunez didn't get a red card for that stomp but Bruno got sent off twice already this season for a challenge where he got a straight red that was overturned because it was a nothing challenge & a second yellow card for a very similar challenge as Nunez's."

On Premier League Productions, Steve McManaman said on the Nunez foul: "He does mad things like that. It's part of his nature. He can't stop diving into challenges. He gets yellow cards, he batters people. He has to temper that anger in the right way."

And according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Liverpool boss Arne Slot "couldn't have complained" if Nunez had received a second yellow card.

The result on Saturday meant Liverpool returned to winning ways after two straight draws. They opened up a seven-point lead on second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League, but the Gunners can cut that gap to four if they beat Aston Villa. Moreover, this was a much-needed confidence boost for Nunez - who has been criticised for his performances this season. These goals may quieten down transfer exit links, too.

Slot's table-topping Liverpool side round off January with a home clash next Saturday against lowly Ipswich Town.