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There was first-half chaos in the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool, with referee John Brooks twice being sent to the pitchside monitor. After initially pointing to the spot for a foul on Alexis Mac Allister, Brooks overturned a Liverpool penalty and confirmed there was no contact between the Argentine and Dango Ouattara. But before the first half was over, Brooks was sent back to the monitor to review a headbutt incident between Yehor Yarmolyuk and Jeremy Jacquet. After watching replays of the incident, the Brentford midfielder was shown a straight red card.
In two quickfire statements, the Premier League Match Centre addressed the incidents on social media. On the overturned penalty, they said: "41' VAR OVERTURN. After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of penalty to Liverpool.
"VAR: 'He plays the ball. Red No.11 clearly wins the ball'. REF: 'After review, the Brentford No.11 plays the ball. The final decision is no penalty.'"
They added on the red card drama: "45+8' VAR OVERTURN. After VAR review, the referee issued a red card to Yarmoliuk for violent conduct. REF: 'After review, the Brentford No.6 commits a headbutting action. The final decision is a red card.'"
It was a wild first 45 minutes - that ended up being over 55 after stoppage time - at the Gtech Community Stadium. Dominik Szoboszlai's return from injury lasted only half an hour before he was forced off after going down off the ball. The Hungarian midfielder walked straight down the tunnel.
Liverpool were then denied a penalty when Florian Wirtz went down inside the box, moments before the spot-kick Brooks awarded - when he believed Mac Allister was fouled - was overturned on review.
Two minutes after play resumed, Keane Lewis-Potter put the Bees in front with a brilliant header from Igor Thiago's cross. But the first half ended negatively for the hosts with Yarmolyuk dismissed.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola utilised half-time to bring on Jeremie Frimpong as an attack-minded replacement for Ronald Araujo.
But the Dutchman was forced off injured a mere six minutes into the second half, limping off with an apparent muscle problem to be replaced by Rio Ngumoha.
Victor Munoz scored an equaliser on the hour mark after being fed into space by Florian Wirtz before cutting in and finding the far bottom corner.
Alexander Isak then put the visitors into the lead with 20 minutes to play, applying an excellent finish after Bradley Barcola's headed knockdown to put Liverpool 2-1 up.
And the drama wasn't over there. Vitaly Janelt was shown a second yellow card late in stoppage time after already picking up a booking, his fifth of the season, in the 63rd minute as Brentford ended with nine men.
The hosts still threatened a late equaliser as Liverpool wasted their counter-attacking opportunities but Brentford's unbeaten start ultimately came to an end.
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