Liverpool showed signs of finding their rhythm as they came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1, with Alexander Isak scoring the winner on his return from injury.
The result lifted Andoni Iraola’s side into fifth place with a much-needed boost after a difficult spell in front of goal. But they have Yehor Yarmolyuk to thank in large part for poor discipline, his dismissal just before half-time having left the Bees with too little strength to sting their visitors.
Brentford had looked in control after taking the lead through Keane Lewis-Potter late in the first half. Their hopes faded after Yarmolyuk was sent off for a headbutt on Jeremy Jacquet. Vitaly Janelt’s late dismissal even left the hosts with nine players.
The comeback offered some encouragement for Liverpool after their expensive attacking talent had struggled to make an impact in the first half. Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola both had a part to play in the recovery, with Isak, who returned to the starting line-up after missing Liverpool’s previous two matches through injury, providing the decisive finish.
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Barcola had a chance to put his side ahead after Janelt gave the ball away. The winger, fresh from scoring a hat-trick against Lask in midweek, ran through on goal but failed to beat Caoimhin Kelleher with a weak attempt.
Isak also headed over from close as Liverpool sought an early breakthrough. Brentford responded with quick attacks of their own, and Jacquet made an important intervention to deny Igor Thiago as the home side looked to exploit gaps in the visitors’ defence.
Liverpool’s problems grew when Dominik Szoboszlai was forced off with an apparent recurrence of his knee injury after only 32 minutes. Trey Nyoni replaced the midfielder, but the disruption hardly helped the visitors’ attacking play.
There was further frustration when referee John Brooks overturned a penalty awarded to Liverpool after reviewing the pitchside monitor. Dango Ouattara had touched the ball before making contact with Alexis Mac Allister, and the decision was reversed.
Brentford took advantage of the change in momentum two minutes later. Mac Allister failed to close down Thiago, who delivered a cross into the area for Lewis-Potter. The defender arrived at the far side of the box and sent a powerful header into the top corner to put the hosts ahead.
However, Brentford’s promising first half ended in controversy. As Liverpool prepared to take a corner, Yarmolyuk and Jacquet became involved in a physical tussle. Replays showed the Brentford midfielder making a headbutting motion towards his opponent, and Brooks produced a red card.
The dismissal left Brentford facing the second half with 10 men, but Liverpool did not immediately make their numerical advantage count. The hosts remained organised, and substitute Mamadou Sangaré forced a save from Alisson Becker as they searched for a second goal.
Liverpool also lost Jeremie Frimpong to injury shortly after he had come on as a substitute for Ronald Araújo. Rio Ngumoha replaced him and helped provide fresh attacking options, but the visitors still needed greater quality in the final third.
Wirtz eventually supplied the moment Liverpool had been waiting for in the 62nd minute. The German midfielder turned away from pressure and played a clever pass into the space behind Lewis-Potter. Victor Munoz collected the ball, cut inside and drove a low left-footed shot beyond Kelleher to bring Liverpool level.
The equaliser changed the mood of the game. Liverpool began to attack with greater confidence, and Barcola came close to scoring before the visitors found their second goal with 20 minutes remaining.
Mac Allister delivered a cross towards the far post, where Barcola headed the ball back into the danger area. Isak reacted quickly, controlled the ball and fired past Kelleher to complete the comeback.
The goal was a welcome return to form for the Sweden international, who had been unable to influence the game consistently before the interval. His finish also gave Liverpool the lead for the first time, leaving Brentford with little time to rescue a result.
The hosts refused to give up. Thiago threatened after Jaidon Anthony broke down the left, and Brentford appealed for a penalty when Jacquet became involved in a challenge with the striker. Brooks allowed play to continue.
Brentford were then hit with another blow when Janelt received a second yellow card in stoppage time for pulling back Ngumoha. The game was long gone by then.
