Liverpool striker Alexander Isak ended his quiet day with a game-winning goal against Brentford away and called for more from his teammates in future fixtures

Alexander Isak returned to the Liverpool lineup after a two-match absence and scored the Reds' winner in a 2-1 comeback victory away at Brentford.

The Swedish international was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI and wasn't involved too much for most of the match. He turned a half-chance in the 70th minute on a rolled ball into the box from Bradley Barcola into a swift finish past Caomihin Kelleher after a lovely pirouette.

Liverpool made hard work of the 2-1 win, playing up a man for the entire second half after Yehor Yarmaluk was sent off for violent conduct. Isak lauded his team's effort but demanded that they improve.

"I think there's still lots to improve. We're taking steps, and we're grabbing points on the way, which is important. It's a tough place to come to, so three points is really good," he told Sky Sports after the match.

"Super happy with the win. It's a tough ground, it's a tough team to play, especially away from home. We knew it was going to be a bit of a scrappy game, and it's important to come out on top,

Isak's goal was his fifth in five appearances against Brentford, a record spanning back to his days wth Newcastle before his 2025 summer transfer to Liverpool.

"It was about concentration. I didn't have too many chances and was waiting for my moment. I just tried to get control of the ball and finish as quickly as possible. Luckily it went in," he said.

The Reds were initially struck with bad fortune when Dominik Szoboszlai, also a major question mark to start, re-aggravated his hamstring injury in the first half. He was substituted for Trey Nyoni.

Jeremie Frimpong was brought on for Ronald Araujo at half-time but lasted only six minutes after a muscular injury, replaced by Rio Ngumoha.

The swap forced winger Victor Munoz to fill in at right-back. Still, the Spanish World Cup winner made a lung-busting run and got on the end of a slick Florian Wirtz through ball to score the equalizer.

"When they go a man down, and they protect their goal a bit more, there's not much space to play. You've got to be ready for when your chance pops up, Isak said.

"From the bench, [many] were screaming for the team to keep the ball and just play out the game. It's different from the side. Myself, if I saw a great opportunity I probably would have wanted to score. Maybe in those situations we just have to be a bit more safe.