Liverpool came from behind to beat Brentford in the Premier League, with Virgil van Dijk delighted with Victor Munoz's performance and Alexander Isak's winning goal

Virgil van Dijk was delighted to help Liverpool earn a hard-fought victory over Brentford in the Premier League, with Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak scoring after Yehor Yarmoliuk's red card.

And the Reds skipper detailed the message that came from Andoni Iraola and his coaching staff at half-time, which helped to turn the clash around in the second half at the Gtech Community Stadium.

While Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong picked up untimely problems to add to the injury woe and Bradley Barcola was among those to miss some significant goalscoring chances, it was a big three points for Liverpool in West London.

"Brentford were 1-0 up but we were doing pretty well," Van Dijk told reporters.

"We dealt with their danger pretty well. We were 1-0 down but the message was play around it and make sure we are ready in transition because they are good in set-pieces.

"Stay patient. Be aware of their strengths being set-pieces and counter-attacks, and make the right decisions with the ball and get the ball into the box. I think we did that second half pretty well."

When Frimpong left the field with a hamstring issue, Rio Ngumoha was introduced off the bench and Munoz moved to right-back, filling in there as a more attacking option against 10-man Brentford.

"I think he was very good," Van Dijk said. "It was a great goal, and defensively, he was holding himself pretty well.

"With the long kicks, it is not easy to (challenge) Kevin Schade, who is very good in the air. But I think he did well and so did the rest of the team.

"He is very fast but he is a very hard-working player that has settled in well and it is down to him to keep going."

Van Dijk added that Isak netting is "100 per cent" what Liverpool need from him. The Swede didn't do much in the game, but added another goal to his tally — with only Erling Haaland having netted more in the Premier League this term.

"I'm glad he came out of the game tired but all good, and he was important with the goal," Van Dijk said. "It is now recovery and onto the next one."

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This game also represented the 150th time that Van Dijk had captained Liverpool in the Premier League — and the 200th time in all competitions.

"I help with everything I can, on and off the pitch," he added. "Leading by example is how it starts.

"Obviously it is not always easy coming to a different country and adapting as soon as possible, but they (Munoz and some other younger players) did well. Keep learning, keep going and keep wanting to be important, and that is definitely the case.

"To be the club captain of Liverpool FC is such a big honor. It isn't something I thought about because it was far too out of reach, but to be in that bracket is amazing. It is an absolute honor and I am really blessed."