Alexander Isak Returns to Seal Liverpool's 2-1 Comeback Win Over Nine-Man Brentford

Alexander Isak scored on his return from injury as Liverpool battled from a goal down to beat Brentford 2-1 at Anfield. The Bees finished with nine men after Yehor Yarmoliuk and Vitaly Janelt were sent off. Victor Munoz had equalised before Isak's winner.

  • Final score: Liverpool 2-1 Brentford
  • Liverpool scorers: Victor Munoz, Alexander Isak
  • Brentford scorer: Keane Lewis-Potter
  • Red cards: Yehor Yarmoliuk (violent conduct, 45+), Vitaly Janelt (second yellow, 90+)
  • Liverpool position: Fifth, above Brentford
  • Brentford: First defeat of the campaign

Injury and availability

Alexander Isak returned from a thigh problem and scored the winner. Dominik Szoboszlai came off with another injury in the first half on his return to the side. Jeremie Frimpong, a half-time substitute, lasted only seven minutes before being forced off.

How the game turned

Brentford took a surprise lead when Keane Lewis-Potter headed home moments after the visitors had a penalty correctly overturned. But the game changed in first-half stoppage time when Yehor Yarmoliuk headbutted Jeremy Jacquet before a Liverpool corner.

Referee John Brookes was sent to the pitch-side monitor by VAR and brandished a straight red card for violent conduct. Liverpool made the man advantage count after the break. Victor Munoz latched onto a Florian Wirtz through ball to score a superb equaliser, before Alexander Isak finished clinically from Bradley Barcola's knockdown.

Brentford had a golden chance to equalise when Igor Thiago failed to convert from close range. They finished with nine men as Vitaly Janelt was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time for a foul on Liverpool substitute Rio Ngumoha.

Why Liverpool's win is a warning to the chasing pack

Liverpool were far from their fluent best, but the manner of this comeback speaks to a squad capable of grinding out results even when key men are missing. Dominik Szoboszlai's early injury and Jeremie Frimpong's seven-minute cameo forced Andoni Iraola into a reshuffle that pushed Victor Munoz to right-back.

Yet it was Munoz who charged forward to score the equaliser, punishing Yehor Yarmoliuk's ill-discipline. That flexibility, and the clinical return of Alexander Isak, gives Liverpool a different dimension. Brentford, meanwhile, will rue their indiscipline. They had matched Liverpool until Yarmoliuk's moment of madness.

Talking points

  • Yarmoliuk's headbutt was reckless and cost his team dearly. Brentford were competitive until that red card, and the game swung entirely on that moment.
  • Liverpool's injury list is growing. Szoboszlai and Frimpong both limped off, and Iraola will be concerned about squad depth ahead of a busy run.
  • Isak's return is a huge boost. His movement and finishing were evident for the winner, and he adds a cutting edge Liverpool lacked earlier in the match.
  • Brentford's first defeat of the season is a setback, but they showed enough before the red card to suggest they can bounce back.

What happens next

Liverpool climb above Brentford into fifth and will look to build on this win in their next fixture. Brentford, meanwhile, must regroup after their first loss of the campaign and will be without the suspended Yarmoliuk and Janelt for their next match.

Frequently asked questions

Who scored Liverpool's winner against Brentford?

Alexander Isak scored the winner, finishing from Bradley Barcola's knockdown.

Why were Brentford's Yehor Yarmoliuk and Vitaly Janelt sent off?

Yarmoliuk was shown a straight red for violent conduct after headbutting Jeremy Jacquet, while Janelt received a second yellow for a foul on Rio Ngumoha.

What was the score in Liverpool vs Brentford?

Liverpool won 2-1, with goals from Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak cancelling out Keane Lewis-Potter's opener.

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