Liverpool found the sort of away win that can tidy a difficult week: not pretty for long spells, not especially calm, but valuable all the same. Andoni Iraola’s side came from behind to beat nine-man Brentford 2-1, with Víctor Muñoz supplying the equaliser before Alexander Isak settled it.
The result followed Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, although they had also put six past LASK Linz in the Champions League. Victory at Brentford lifts them to fifth on 12 points, nine behind Maresca’s leaders.
A bruising afternoon in west London
- Barcola passed up the first major opening in the 20th minute, firing wide after Muñoz had forced the opportunity with an aggressive press.
- Muñoz then caused concern three minutes later when he went down after a collision with Lewis-Potter and held his knee. Treatment allowed him to continue.
- Dominik Szoboszlai, making his return from injury, was less fortunate. The Hungarian midfielder was replaced by Nyoni in the 32nd minute.
- Liverpool felt they might have had a penalty when Ouattara challenged Mac Allister in the 41st minute, but Brentford struck instead shortly afterwards.
- Igor Thiago delivered from the right and Lewis-Potter arrived unmarked from deep to head Brentford in front in the 44th minute.
- Brentford’s advantage was undermined in first-half stoppage time, when Yarmoliuk was sent off for an off-the-ball headbutt on Jacquet.
Liverpool make the extra man count
Liverpool suffered another injury setback when Frimpong had to leave the pitch in the 52nd minute, but their pressure increased against a Brentford side reduced to 10.
Kelleher, facing his former club, produced an outstanding save from Mac Allister’s long-range effort in the 59th minute. Three minutes later, however, he was beaten.
Wirtz released Muñoz with a long ball and the former Osasuna player did the rest. He drove forward, checked inside with a right-footed backheel to wrong-foot Lewis-Potter, then guided a composed finish into the far corner. It was Muñoz’s second Premier League goal, to go with one assist.
The turnaround was complete in the 70th minute. Mac Allister’s cross was worked back by Barcola and Isak took control with his right foot before striking firmly with his left.
Barcola hit the crossbar in the 79th minute as Liverpool sought a third, while Brentford’s afternoon deteriorated further in the 92nd minute. Janelt was dismissed, leaving the home side with nine men for the closing moments.
There was no late escape for Brentford. Liverpool saw out a hard-earned win and, after the City setback, returned to the league’s winning trail.
