Liverpool came from behind to beat a Brentford side reduced to nine men by the end of the game at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Víctor Muñoz and Alexander Isak scoring in the second half to turn around a 1-0 deficit.
The first half was a scruffy one for the Reds. Andoni Iraola’s side arrived on the back of a 6-3 Champions League win at LASK in midweek, and they never found much rhythm against a Brentford team that was still unbeaten this season.
Keith Andrews’ side went ahead in the 44th minute when Keane Lewis-Potter looped a header into the net.
The scoreline stayed at 1-0 until the interval, but the game had already turned.
Yehor Yarmoliuk was shown a straight red card before the break, and Brentford had to play the second half with ten men.
Liverpool made the extra man count. In the 62nd minute Muñoz ran in behind and finished well to make it 1-1, and the visitors looked far more comfortable from there.
Eight minutes later Isak, back from injury, put them in front. Alexis Mac Allister sent the ball into the box, Bradley Barcola brought it down, and Isak needed only two touches to finish. It was a clinical return for the striker.
Brentford’s afternoon got worse late on when Vitaly Janelt was shown a second yellow card, leaving them with nine.
Lewis Koumas had the chance to make it three in stoppage time, but his shot went straight at Caoimhin Kelleher, and the hosts were spared.
It was not a vintage Liverpool display, and the visitors will know the two sendings off made life far easier for them on the day.
The one real concern is Dominik Szoboszlai, who went off injured, and Iraola will be hoping it is nothing serious.
Still, it was a good response after the heavy home defeat to Manchester City, and the win lifts them to fifth place on 12 points.
