Liverpool came from behind to beat 10-man Brentford as Andoni Iraola's tactical change proved to be the difference in a second-half turnaround

Liverpool completed a second-half turnaround to beat 10-man Brentford at the Gtech Stadium to thanks to goals from Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak, saving Andoni Iraola's blushes in a 2-1 win.

Returning to Premier League action since the 3-0 humbling at Anfield against Manchester City last Sunday, the Reds got back to form in front of goal in midweek by hitting six past LASK Linz, but it looked at one point on the hour mark that Liverpool might have used all their goals up against the Austrians as the Bees looked to be holding them out.

But Iraola's attacking changes forced the issue and Munoz and Isak turned the game on its head in eight second-half minutes. It was far from pretty but an important three points for the visitors who were beaten in the same fixture last season.

It could have been so much more straightforward for Liverpool had the golden chance of the first half that fell to Bradley Barcola been finished off.

Fresh off his first career hat-trick against the Austrian side, the return to domestic action, where he is yet to score or assist, clearly played on his mind as he delivered an embarrassing attempt to chip Caoimhin Kelleher from the edge of the box.

Barcola ran clear from the halfway line but clearly had too much time to think about the finish and produced a half-hearted dink, which miserably bounced wide to the amusement of the home fans. The perfect chance to take the lead before Jeremy Jacquet was forced into last ditch defending down the other end to thwart Igor Thiago.

But another problem faced Liverpool in the opening 45 as Dominik Szoboszlai's return lasted just half an hour as he was forced to be withdrawn through injury, with Trey Nyoni replacing him. It begs the question how fit the Hungarian was to be rushed back with Ryan Gravenberch suspended. But it the 19-year-old midfielder didn't cover himself in glory.

The warning signs were there and Brentford carried on their attacking chances, either side of a penalty for Liverpool correctly overturned by VAR, as Keane Lewis-Potter headed in a brilliant opener for the hosts.

Despite the quality of his powerful header, directing Thiago’s cross into the top corner, it’s a poor one from the Liverpool defence, especially Nyoni, who allowed him to ghost into the box on his own.

But Liverpool were offered a way back into the game at the end of the first half through Yehor Yarmolyuk’s stupidity, as the Ukrainian midfielder headbutted Jacquet, which was eventually picked up by VAR following a three minute confirmation.

Iraola looked to make the difference at half-time by bringing on Jeremie Frimpong for Ronald Araujo at right-back to add some attacking intent; however, the Reds' injury problems ramped up again as just seven minutes later the Dutch right-back limped off down the tunnel. The Basque boss reacted by making an even more attacking change, bringing Rio Ngumoha into the fray.

Despite being a man down, Brentford still fancied their chances of scoring a second on the break, especially against the attack heavy Liverpool line-up, who eventually threatened Kelleher in the goal with a first shot on target for the visitors through Mac Allister.

That sight of goal was a sign of things to come as Munoz whipped home a brilliant effort to level the scores and firmly puts the Reds’ tails up.

And eight minutes later, Alexander Isak, who had an incredibly quiet game until then, used his strength to control a bouncing ball with his midriff before firing a low strike through a crowded six yard box and into the far corner.

Brentford pushed for an equaliser as Iraola called for calm from his team as the game ticked into injury time, but the Reds were able to see it through and claim three very welcome points.