Brentford 1-2 Liverpool was the final score at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the Reds recovering from a goal down to take all three points. The result followed a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City, the first loss of the Andoni Iraola era, and kept Liverpool in and around the Champions League spots. Brentford, previously unbeaten this season, finished the match with nine men.

Credits: ESPN

Story of the Match

Liverpool pressed from the start and won most of the early duels. Wirtz played Barcola in behind to win a corner, from which Mac Allister shot over from 25 yards. Brentford in the 18th minute finally kicked into gear and created a lovely sweeping move, for a Kayode chance on the edge of the box which was blocked by Jacquet, before Barcola ran clear, one-on-one but failed to score with an attempted chip over Kelleher. Liverpool continued to create and found themselves down the right-hand side, where Munoz cut it back to Mac Allister, who whipped in a first-time cross and Isak headed over, a good chance for a striker of Isak’s calibre. 

Szoboszlai went off injured on the half-hour mark; it was a major blow, as he had just returned to the squad after a hamstring injury. Trey Nyoni replaced the Hungarian, and a Liverpool penalty for a foul on Mac Allister was overturned by VAR. Then, in the 44th minute, Keane Lewis-Potter headed Brentford in front from a beautiful cross by Thiago, leaving Alisson with no chance. The Reds looked to get back into the game, and just before half-time, Yehor Yarmoliuk was sent off after a VAR review for headbutting Jacquet in stoppage time.

Credits: Goal.com

Liverpool started the second half at a high tempo, but a Brentford counter led to a yellow card for Jacquet. Jeremie Frimpong, introduced at half-time, went off injured shortly afterwards and was replaced by Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool’s second enforced change after Szoboszlai. Despite playing with ten men, Brentford won more of the duels and created more chances in this spell, then Kelleher was called into action and pushed a Mac Allister effort out for a corner. Liverpool, through great execution, equalised in the 62nd minute, when Wirtz played Muñoz in behind, down the right-hand side, and the World Cup winner cut back onto his left foot to finish into the bottom corner. Liverpool smelled blood and, after the goal, continued to pin Brentford back and create chances that didn't amount to anything until Isak put them ahead in the 70th minute after Mac Allister crossed and Barcola headed the ball down, with the travelling supporters in full voice and the Reds on the ascendancy. Brentford had chances as they attacked down the left-hand side and a cross came in, but Thiago couldn't get a full connection on it and wasted the opportunity for Brentford. 

Liverpool continued to create, and a corner fell to Barcola. He skillfully made a half yard of space in the box, and his effort was off the underside of the bar, and Brentford cleared. Barcola had been a chance magnet all day for Liverpool, but nothing fell for the Frenchman.  Brentford kept pushing, and VAR later rejected a Brentford penalty appeal against Jacquet.

Brentford would continue to hurt and cause Liverpool problems as the game neared an end. The Reds looked fragile and shaky in spells but steadied the ship when the going got tough. 

The Final Whistle

Liverpool should have been out of sight, Barcola and Koumas both had chances to deliver the killer blow but neither could. Brentford ended their own hopes in the 92nd minute as Janelt hauled down Rio Ngumhoa, giving John Brooks no other choice but to send him off for a second bookable offence, leaving Brentford with nine men. Barcola and Koumas again were on the break away together, barcola squared it to Koumas who couldn't get his shot off and yet again, Liverpool wasted an opportunity. Brentford in the 95th minute looked to salvage something from the game but Jeremy Jacquet was on hand to put in a mighty tackle and clear the danger. 

The final whistle rang through and Liverpool breathed a sigh of relief as they had just about got over the line, Brentford had suffered their first defeat of the season and had only themselves to blame for the red cards. The Reds leave West London with the all important three points.

Player Ratings

Alisson Becker, 6/10. Had little to do, but was well beaten by Lewis-Potter’s header.

Ronald Araujo, 6/10. Did the basics at right-back while Brentford’s movement stretched the defence.

Jérémy Jacquet, 8/10. Blocked Kayode, survived Yarmolyuk’s headbutt and made a mighty late tackle on Thiago.

Virgil van Dijk, 8/10. Made a vital interception to stop Anthony’s reverse pass from reaching Thiago, still the best there is.

Milos Kerkez, 6/10. Quiet outing at left-back without a decisive moment either way.

Alexis Mac Allister: 8/10. His back-post cross created Isak’s winner, and kept it tidy in moments of panic.

Dominik Szoboszlai: 6/10. Won early duels but mishit a shot from the edge of the box before limping off injured.

Víctor Muñoz: 8/10. Brilliant curled finish for the leveller and was great throughout.

Florian Wirtz: 9/10. Supplied Muñoz for the equaliser and probed relentlessly between the lines.

Bradley Barcola: 7/10. Missed a one-on-one and wasted a late break, though his header teed up Isak.

Alexander Isak: 8/10. Headed over early, then finished coolly with his left foot for the winner.

Trey Nyoni: 6/10. Replaced Szoboszlai on 31 and was steady without a standout moment.

Rio Ngumoha: 8/10. Lively on the half-turn and won the foul that sent off Janelt.

Joe Gomez: 6/10. Kept it simple, won duels when asked of him. 

Lewis Koumas: 6/10. Did ok; should have done better with his chance, but worked his socks off as usual and did just fine.

Conclusion and Standout Performers

There is only one man for me today who throughout the game tried endlessly and created any chance he got, so my Man of the Match is Florian Wirtz. After a spell of questions over his form, he supplied Muñoz for the equaliser, threaded balls in behind for Barcola and found pockets behind Brentford’s midfield throughout. He also created nine (9) chances today from open play and had an all-around good performance. Jacquet and Van Dijk were superb at the back, but Barcola’s 6/10 reflected the one-on-one he failed to convert on 20 minutes and the four-versus-two break he wasted late on, even if his header created the winner.

The result leaves Liverpool on 12 points from seven games, two clear of Brentford, whose unbeaten start ended. Villarreal visit Anfield on Tuesday in the Champions League. With Szoboszlai and Frimpong hurt, squad depth will be tested, but Liverpool showed real tenacity, even through the spells when they looked fragile.