Yarmoliuk red card: Andrews says Jacquet 'cute and clever' in Brentford loss

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews admitted Yehor Yarmoliuk deserved his red card in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool but felt Jeremy Jacquet was "cute and clever" in winning it. The Ukrainian was sent off in first-half stoppage time for a headbutting action on the Liverpool defender.

Match: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool, Premier League
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium
Red card: Yehor Yarmoliuk (Brentford) sent off in first-half stoppage time for headbutting action on Jeremy Jacquet
Second red: Vitaly Janelt shown second yellow for foul on Rio Ngumoha
Goals: Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak turned the game for Liverpool
Controversy: Andoni Iraola felt VAR should not have overturned Liverpool penalty before Lewis-Potter's opener

What was said

"We need to look at ourselves first, which we always do. We don't really tend to look at what part they played within the incident. I do think they were cute, clever - but Yarmo needs to do better, so I can understand why it was a red."
— Keith Andrews, Brentford head coach

"If you look at where Jacquet is walking, he's not looking at the ball, is he? He's walking in to Yarmo."
— Andrews, clarifying his comments on Jacquet

"We focus on us and our actions within that and you can make up your own mind."
— Andrews, when asked if Jacquet made the most of the contact

"Yarmo is an amazing young man. I think we need to remember he is young, very young, and he is someone who we love working with and trying to develop. He will learn from it."
— Andrews on Yarmoliuk

"I've seen both of Vitaly's yellows back and where I'm at overall is that I like our players playing with emotion. I think it's a big part of the way we play."
— Andrews on Janelt's dismissal

"I like us to play on the edge and, when you do that and you feel like some decisions aren't fair, that can be very, very difficult for our players. I feel it and it can become very, very frustrating. Our players aren't robots."
— Andrews on his team's discipline

"I'm more alluding to his first one. I think the second one is about his honesty to get back and chase back towards his own goal, which we have in abundance. Could there have been a bit more common sense with the second yellow? I think so."
— Andrews on Janelt's second yellow

"We have a spirit within this team that I think is really, really special. Most midfielders wouldn't have been able to get back in to even challenge it."
— Andrews on Brentford's character

"I think Dango touches the ball. I don't think it's a penalty. But also I don't think the VAR should intervene in that situation because there is clear contact after."
— Andoni Iraola, Brentford boss, on the overturned Liverpool penalty

"I remember in the Nottingham Forest penalty against us this season, where they tell us it's not a penalty, VAR is not going to intervene because there is contact. So I think it's a very similar situation. I wouldn't call it a penalty, live."
— Iraola comparing incidents

"I think after watching the replay Dango arrives to touch the ball a little bit. But the way they explained to me the situation against Forest is exactly that one. I don't think the VAR should intervene."
— Iraola on the VAR decision

Andrews was careful not to blame Jacquet for the sending off, instead focusing on his own player's reaction. However, his description of the Liverpool defender as "cute and clever" suggests he felt Jacquet deliberately stepped across Yarmoliuk to provoke contact. The Brentford boss also expressed sympathy for Janelt, arguing his second yellow was harsh and that his team's emotional style can sometimes lead to unfair punishment.

Iraola, meanwhile, was unhappy with the VAR intervention that overturned a Liverpool penalty before Brentford's opener. He referenced a similar incident against Nottingham Forest earlier in the season where VAR did not intervene, and felt the same logic should have applied at the Gtech.

Why Andrews is right to defend Yarmoliuk but accept the red

Yehor Yarmoliuk gave referee John Brooks no choice. After being instructed to review the incident on the monitor, Brooks judged that the Ukrainian had made a headbutting action towards Jeremy Jacquet. Andrews acknowledged that Yarmoliuk "needs to do better" and that the red card was understandable. The challenge now is for the young midfielder to learn from the experience, as Andrews emphasised his youth and potential.

The bigger concern for Brentford is the discipline. Vitaly Janelt was also sent off for a second yellow after bringing down Rio Ngumoha, leaving the Bees with nine men. Andrews defended Janelt's honesty in chasing back but questioned whether common sense could have prevailed. With Brentford already struggling to contain Liverpool, the numerical disadvantage made Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak's goals decisive.

Andrews will need his players to channel their emotion more carefully in future. The spirit he praised is valuable, but it must not cross into recklessness. Brentford's next test will show whether they can maintain their aggressive style without incurring further costly dismissals.

Talking points

Did Jacquet deliberately provoke Yarmoliuk? Andrews' "cute and clever" remark implies yes, but he stopped short of accusing the defender of cheating.
Should Janelt's second yellow have been avoided? Andrews thinks common sense was missing, but referees are entitled to book players for cynical fouls.
Is VAR intervening too often? Iraola believes the technology should stay out of subjective penalty calls, citing consistency with the Nottingham Forest decision.
Can Brentford keep their aggressive edge without being punished? Andrews loves their emotion, but two red cards in one game suggest a need for balance.

What happens next

Brentford must regroup for their next Premier League fixture, with both Yarmoliuk and Janelt suspended. Andrews will have to adjust his midfield and likely rely on squad depth to cover their absences. The result leaves Brentford searching for consistency, while Liverpool continue their push at the top of the table. The Bees' next match is crucial to avoid a slump.

Frequently asked questions

Why was Yehor Yarmoliuk sent off for Brentford vs Liverpool?

Yarmoliuk was shown a red card in first-half stoppage time for a headbutting action on Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet, following a VAR review by referee John Brooks.

What did Keith Andrews say about Jeremy Jacquet?

Andrews described Jacquet as "cute and clever" for his role in the incident, suggesting the defender walked into Yarmoliuk without looking at the ball.

Did Brentford get a penalty against Liverpool?

No, Brentford did not get a penalty. The incident occurred before a corner was taken, and Liverpool were instead awarded a penalty earlier which was overturned by VAR.