Isak Sparks Liverpool to Comeback Triumph as Brentford Crumbles
If this match is a turning point for Liverpool's inconsistent attack, they'll have Yehor Yarmolyuk to thank. Brentford was leading 1-0 when their midfielder was sent off for a reckless headbutt on Jérémy Jacquet just before the half-time whistle.
Andoni Iraola will hope that surviving this demanding Premier League clash is a sign that his tactics are starting to bear fruit. However, he knows the game changed dramatically when Liverpool had the numerical advantage to exploit.
Brentford, whose unbeaten streak has come to an end, were furious with the officiating. They ended the match with just nine players after Vitaly Janelt received his marching orders late in the game. Referee John Brooks left the pitch to a chorus of boos, but Brentford could only blame themselves for their implosion. With Liverpool looking vulnerable, Yarmolyuk's foolishness opened the door for the visitors to capitalize.
In the second half, a Liverpool attack worth nearly £400 million rose to the occasion. Florian Wirtz, who has struggled since his hefty £116 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen last season, notched his second assist of the campaign, setting up Victor Muñoz for the equalizer.
Muñoz finished brilliantly, and shortly after, Bradley Barcola, making his mark in a Liverpool shirt, assisted Alexander Isak to complete the comeback in the 70th minute, propelling Liverpool into fifth place.
Prior to Yarmolyuk's dismissal, the match was tightly contested. Liverpool welcomed back Isak, who had been sidelined with injury during last week's defeat to Manchester City. The early exchanges saw Isak miss a good chance, and Barcola squander an opportunity to build on his midweek hat-trick after Janelt's mistake.
Brentford responded with quick counterattacks, and Liverpool had to stay resolute. They appeared more prepared for Brentford’s threats than during their previous encounter under Arne Slot last year. Jacquet, solid in defense, made a crucial intercept to deny Igor Thiago. The initial trouble for Iraola lay in the fact that his expensive attacking players were struggling to connect.
At least Barcola was actively seeking the ball and testing Michael Kayode on the left flank, but Wirtz and Isak weren’t on the same wavelength in the first half. As if things couldn't get worse, Liverpool lost Dominik Szoboszlai to injury, leaving Iraola with limited options in midfield due to Ryan Gravenberch's suspension.
Trey Nyoni came on for Szoboszlai, and his introduction sparked a chaotic phase where Liverpool had a penalty overturned. Brooks reviewed the VAR footage and determined that Dango Outtara had touched the ball first while preventing Alexis Mac Allister from reaching Isak's cutback.
Brentford surged with renewed energy after the VAR decision and soon made Liverpool pay for failing to clear their lines. Mac Allister hesitated, allowing Thiago to cross for Lewis-Potter, who headed the ball expertly into the top corner.
Brentford would lament what could have been had they kept all 11 players on the pitch. Instead, they unraveled while trying to maintain their lead during six added minutes. A skirmish in the area before a Liverpool corner led to Jacquet going down, and replays revealed Yarmolyuk’s aggression had gone too far.
Yarmolyuk had no complaints about his red card. Liverpool, however, took time to find their footing in the second half. They faced further challenges when Jeremie Frimpong was forced off after only seven minutes on the field.
Brentford stood firm, and Keith Andrews made changes of his own, introducing Kevin Schade at halftime. Mamadou Sangaré, another substitute, forced a vital save from Alisson Becker.
Liverpool searched for a spark, with Mac Allister trying his luck from distance, only to be thwarted by Caoimhín Kelleher. Rio Ngumoha, on for Frimpong, delivered a dangerous cross that Virgil van Dijk volleyed wide.
Brentford began to falter, overcommitting players forward and leaving themselves exposed in the 62nd minute. Wirtz dropped back, turned, and delivered a clever pass into Lewis-Potter's path. Muñoz seized the moment, evading Lewis-Potter and firing a low shot past Kelleher to level the score.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically. Barcola nearly added another but sent a volley just wide. The second goal came with 20 minutes remaining. Wirtz combined with Mac Allister, Barcola headed down the subsequent cross, and Isak pounced, unleashing a powerful shot to put Liverpool ahead.
Brentford pressed on, looking for an equalizer through Thiago after Jaidon Anthony broke down the left. They called for a penalty when Jacquet tangled with Thiago, but luck was not on their side. Their unbeaten run came to an end when Janelt, already on a yellow card, received a second for a foul on Ngumoha.
