Isak seals Liverpool comeback at Brentford after two red cards

Alexander Isak scored the winner as Liverpool came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday, October 17. According to the Guardian’s match report, the result lifted Liverpool into fifth place and ended Brentford’s unbeaten start, with the home side dropping out of the top four after finishing with nine players.

Watch the highlights:

Brentford went ahead through Keane Lewis-Potter, who arrived from left-back to head Igor Thiago’s cross into the top corner. Earlier, Liverpool had been awarded a penalty that was overturned following a video review: Dango Ouattara was judged to have touched the ball before his collision with Alexis Mac Allister. Liverpool also lost Dominik Szoboszlai to injury, with Trey Nyoni coming on while Ryan Gravenberch was unavailable through suspension.

The match changed during first-half stoppage time when Yehor Yarmolyuk clashed with Liverpool defender Jérémy Jacquet before a corner. Referee John Brooks consulted the pitchside monitor and sent off the Brentford midfielder for a headbutt, leaving the hosts to protect their lead with 10 men throughout the second half. Brentford manager Keith Andrews had no complaint about that dismissal, the Guardian reported, although he questioned other decisions during the game.

Liverpool’s equaliser arrived in the 62nd minute. Florian Wirtz played a pass inside Lewis-Potter to release Victor Muñoz, who cut back and drove a left-footed shot low into the far corner. It was Wirtz’s second assist of the season, with both having supplied Muñoz. The goal followed another injury setback for Liverpool: Jeremie Frimpong had been forced off only seven minutes after replacing Ronald Araújo at right-back.

Eight minutes after the equaliser, Liverpool completed the turnaround. Mac Allister received a pass from Wirtz and delivered a cross, Bradley Barcola headed the ball down and Isak finished from close range. Barcola’s contribution was his first assist since joining Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain. Isak had returned to the side after missing the previous week’s defeat by Manchester City.

Brentford also had Vitaly Janelt dismissed for a second yellow card, but still threatened an equaliser through Thiago. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was pleased with the influence of Wirtz and Barcola against the reduced opposition, while expressing dissatisfaction with his team’s play after taking the lead. Liverpool nevertheless held on to secure the comeback victory.