Darwin Nunez scored two goals in stoppage time to claim a huge victory for Liverpool and move Liverpool seven points clear in the Premier League table.
Arne Slot's team had huffed and puffed for 91 minutes, but could not break through the red and white wall of Brentford, who put in an inspired performance. They scored 35 shots without breaking the Bees' backline.
And just when you thought the league leaders would be heading for a third straight draw – in what would have been far from a disaster but certainly a blow – substitute Nunez emerged with what could be a decisive goal in this title race.
With the 36th and 37th shots of the match, the Uruguayan tapped in Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross and then fired a second into the top corner.
What would have been a dent in their title hopes suddenly turned into a seismic moment and a memorable day.
Brentford have made a habit of making life difficult for the big boys who emerge in west London, which was evident in their spirited performance and draw against champions Manchester City on Tuesday. And they could easily have taken a 1-0 lead here in the first five minutes.
Bryan Mbeumo found space on the right flank behind Kostas Tsimikas and combined with Mads Roerslev who put the ball on the board for Mikkel Damsgaard.
All the Dane had to do was connect with the cross, but he missed it and a golden opportunity was wasted.
Liverpool soon settled down and crossed Brentford's penalty area without seriously threatening Mark Flokken. Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch all scored within the first twenty minutes but were unable to break through.
Dominik Szoboszlai had two chances within a minute. He first danced through the defense and was let down by a tame shot.
He learned from that weak attempt and his next was a thunderbolt that beat Fleks and rattled the crossbar.
Gakpo also came close after starting and ending the match's move by playing a pinpoint pass to Szoboszlai. The Hungarian skipper sent Mohamed Salah running and picked out Gakpo, but his shot rolled just wide.
The chances kept coming for Liverpool – just as they did in Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest.
Salah saw a shot deflect over Flokken's head, but Nathan Collins was back to clear for his goalkeeper.
Diaz also tanned Flek's gloves and wanted a penalty for an alleged foul in the aftermath, but nothing came of it.
Brentford's aim at that point was to live a charmed life, but they did suffer some counter-attacks led by the menacing Mbeumo.
Slot's substitutes won the point at Forest with Tsimikas and Diogo Jota – now injured – combining with their first involvement and that almost happened again when Andy Robertson crossed for Nunez just minutes after coming on. This time the striker headed wide.
Brentford certainly had chances to get the win as Yoane Wissa and Mbeumo both fired from inside the penalty area.
Alisson was called to action more often than he expected, but none of the efforts were alarming.
But as the clock ticked towards the end of the match, Nunez emerged as the ace, doubling his league goal tally for the season in the space of two minutes with two memorable strikes. The away team was sent into delirium.
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