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Liverpool came from behind to beat nine-man Brentford 2-1, with a change from Andoni Iraola sparking their turnaround. The Reds came away from the Gtech Community Stadium with all three points thanks to second-half goals from Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak.
But the stage was set by a dramatic first half that saw two decisions overturned by VAR and a deserved lead for Brentford. Keane Lewis-Potter fired the Bees in front shortly after Liverpool thought they'd been given a penalty.
But Keith Andrews' side - who went into Saturday unbeaten - were reduced to 10 when Yehor Yarmolyuk was deemed to have headbutted Jeremy Jacquet. Munoz and Isak eventually punished Brentford, although it wasn't straightforward for the visitors - even after another Brentford red card.
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When team news was confirmed, Liverpool fans were delighted to see the return to Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian had missed his side's last two games but was back in the starting XI.
Unfortunately for Szoboszlai, he only lasted 32 minutes. The 25-year-old went down off the ball in what appeared to be an aggravation of his prior injury.
All eyes will be on Iraola's post-match comments and whether Szoboszlai will be fit to face Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday. And talk about bad things coming in threes...
Dominik Szoboszlai's return from injury was short-lived(Image: Glyn KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
It was all going wrong for Liverpool as half-time neared. Shortly after Szoboszlai's substitution, the Reds were given a penalty by John Brooks, as Dango Ouattara went sliding in on Alexis Mac Allister, and quickly had it taken away.
Replays showed that the only contact Brentford winger Ouattara made was with the ball, prompting Brooks to overturn his decision on the recommendation of video assistant referee Darren England. But VAR wasn't done getting involved - more that shortly.
Brentford made the most of their reprieve, as Keane Lewis-Potter's header put the hosts 1-0 up. The goal came about after Mac Allister had lost possession inside his own half, allowing the hosts to pounce.
Keane Lewis-Potter broke the deadlock(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
The ball ended up at the feet of Igor Thiago, whose cross was perfectly converted by Lewis-Potter. Then finally something went right for Liverpool.
At a corner, Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet was having it out with Yehor Yarmolyuk, and the Brentford midfielder lost his cool with a headbutt akin to Rodrigo Bentancur's against Manchester United last weekend. England spotted in the incident and Brooks had no choice but to show Yarmolyuk a red card.
No penalty was awarded because the ball wasn't in play at the time of the incident. Liverpool still had it all to do, but facing 10 men gave them a huge advantage.
Yehor Yarmolyuk was sent off for a headbutt(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
For a spell early in the second period, Brentford held their own with 10 men, testing Liverpool before their onslaught came about somewhat inadvertently. Jeremie Frimpong, brought on as a half-time substitute, had to come off just seven minutes after his introduction due to injury.
Would Iraola turn to Joe Gomez or opt for something bolder?
The answer was the latter. Rio Ngumoha entered the fray, offering more of an attacking threat.
Ngumoha's introduction forced Victor Munoz to right-back, but it didn't put the Spaniard off bombing forward. Munoz would equalise with a brilliant solo goal, cutting inside and producing a cool finish from inside the 18-yard box.
Andoni Iraola made a game-changing attacking substitution(Image: Glyn KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Iraola's men kept up the pressure and would be rewarded when Mac Allister picked out Bradley Barcola, who was free at the far post. His header wasn't ideal but Alexander Isak showed superb centre forward play to take the ball away from his man and slot past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Although Ngumoha wasn't involved in either of the goals, the winger's presence changed the dynamic for Liverpool. Gomez did eventually come on to help the Reds over the line, a task made easier by Vitaly Janelt's second yellow card for a foul on Barcola in stoppage time.