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Andoni Iraola's bold Liverpool change pays off as nine-man Brentford cause their own undoing

BRENTFORD 1-2 LIVERPOOL: Goals from Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak fired Liverpool to a comeback victory after Yehor Yarmolyuk had been sent off when Brentford were leading

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Alexander Isak of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Bradley Barcola during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Liverpool FC at Gtech Community Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

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 that 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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Liverpool dealt Szoboszlai blow

When team news was confirmed, Liverpool fans were delighted to see the return to Dominik Szoboszlai (as well as Alexander Isak). The Hungarian had missed his side's last two games but was back in the starting line-up.

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...

Liverpool's Hungarian midfielder #08 Dominik Szoboszlai (C) reacts after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on October 17, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.

Dominik Szoboszlai's return from injury was short-lived(Image: Glyn KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

VAR dominates first half

It was all going wrong for Liverpool as half-time neared. Shortly after Szoboszlai's substitution, John Brooks awarded the Reds a penalty after deeming Dango Ouattara's challenge on Alexis Mac Allister to be a penalty.

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 put the hosts 1-0 up. The goal came about after Mac Allister had lost possession inside his own half, allowing Brentford to pounce.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Keane Lewis-Potter of Brentford celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 1-0 during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Liverpool FC at Gtech Community Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

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 concerted by Lewis-Potter. Then finally something went for Liverpool.

At a corner, Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet had riled up Yehor Yarmolyuk and the Brentford midfielder lashed out with a headbutt akin to Rodrigo Bentancur's against Manchester United last week. 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.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Yehor Yarmolyuk of Brentford leaves the field after being shown a red card after clashing with Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool (not pictured) during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Liverpool FC at Gtech Community Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Yehor Yarmolyuk was sent off for a headbutt(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Iraola's bold change pays off

For a spell, Brentford held their own with 10 men. But the Liverpool onslaught came about somewhat inadvertedly.

Jeremie Frimpong, brought on as a half-time substitute, had to come off just seven minutes after his introduction with an injury. Would Iraola turn to Joe Gomez or something bolder?

The answer was the latter. Rio Ngumoha entered the fray, giving Liverpool 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 open the scoring with a brilliant solo goal, chopping inside and producing a curled finish from inside the 18-yard box to draw Liverpool level.

Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on October 17, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.

Andoni Iraola made a game-changing attacking substitution(Image: Glyn KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraola's side kept up the pressure would be rewarded, as Mac Allister picked out Bradley Barcola, who was free at the far post. His header wasn't ideal but Alexander Isak showed superb striker play to take the ball away from his man and slot past Caoimhin Kelleher.

Although Ngumoha wasn't involved in either of the goals, his 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.

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