Liverpool came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday, with Alexander Isak scoring the decisive goal on his return from a thigh injury. Brentford finished the match with nine players after Yehor Yarmoliuk was sent off before half-time and Vitaly Janelt followed in stoppage time, Sky Sports reports.
The result lifts Liverpool above Brentford into fifth place in the Premier League and hands the Bees their first defeat of the season.
Why it matters
Brentford had been unbeaten in the league and were leading through Keane Lewis-Potter's header when Yarmoliuk's dismissal reshaped the contest. According to Sky Sports, the midfielder headbutted Jeremy Jacquet shortly before a Liverpool corner in first-half stoppage time, and referee John Brooks issued a straight red card for violent conduct after reviewing the incident on the pitch-side monitor at the VAR's request.
Liverpool used the extra man after the interval, equalising through Victor Munoz and then taking the lead via Isak. The win eases pressure on Andoni Iraola's side after their defeat to Manchester City, though it came at a cost: two players left the pitch injured.
Munoz and Isak turn the game
Munoz, a summer signing, was moved to right-back after Jeremie Frimpong was forced off, but still pushed forward to meet a Florian Wirtz through ball and finish for the equaliser. Isak then completed the turnaround by converting Bradley Barcola's knockdown, striking quickly under pressure to give goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher little opportunity to respond.
Sky Sports notes that the goal was Isak's fifth in five appearances against Brentford. Only Erling Haaland, with six against Crystal Palace, has a better record against a single Premier League opponent. The 27-year-old now has five league goals this season despite missing the Manchester City match, one short of doubling his tally from an injury-hit first campaign following his £125m move from Newcastle.
Brentford had a chance to level when Igor Thiago failed to convert from close range, and their hopes faded further when Janelt received a second yellow card for a foul on Liverpool substitute Rio Ngumoha. Sky Sports reports that Lewis-Potter had put the hosts ahead moments after Liverpool saw a penalty decision overturned.
Injury concerns for Iraola
Dominik Szoboszlai, back in the side, was withdrawn in the first half, and Frimpong lasted only seven minutes after coming on at the break. Iraola said he expects to be without both for "some time", confirming that Szoboszlai's problem was a recurrence of his hamstring injury while Frimpong's was new.
The Liverpool boss told Sky Sports that the three points were valuable given how difficult he considers Brentford at home, but admitted frustration with his team's play after they went 2-1 up. He said his players passed up clear counter-attacking chances to settle the game.
Brentford manager Keith Andrews said his side had been building momentum and belief before taking the lead, and that the sending off altered the match. He acknowledged his team had handed Liverpool a significant advantage.
Liverpool next face a schedule without two injured squad members, while Brentford must respond to their first league loss of the campaign.
