Brentford–Liverpool: Muñoz and Isak turn a difficult game around

Liverpool won 2-1 at Brentford on Saturday, October 17, in Premier League matchweek seven, after trailing at half-time. Víctor Muñoz and Alexander Isak turned the game around. But the victory must be assessed alongside its major turning point: Yehor Yarmoliuk’s dismissal before the interval, which left Brentford with 10 players from the restart.

An opening goal, then a red card that changes the game

Keane Lewis-Potter headed Brentford in front in the 44th minute from Igor Thiago’s cross. Liverpool had just had a penalty overturned following a video review: Dango Ouattara had touched the ball in his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister. That intervention spared Brentford a penalty and remains a positive contribution from the Burkina Faso international.

In first-half stoppage time, Yarmoliuk was sent off for a headbutting action towards Jérémy Jacquet before a corner. It served no footballing purpose for Brentford. With his team ahead, the midfielder condemned them to a second half a player short. It was a particularly costly loss of discipline, although that does not exempt his teammates from examining their own performances.

Liverpool had to wait until the 62nd minute to equalise. Released by Florian Wirtz, Muñoz finished accurately. Eight minutes later, Mac Allister’s cross, Bradley Barcola’s headed knockdown and Isak’s quick finish combined for the goal that made it 2-1. The visitors had finally converted their numerical advantage into a lead.

The statistics: dominance that needs context

Brentford–Liverpool: possession 40.1%–59.9%; shots 10–21; shots on target 2–5; corners 3–9; red cards 2–0. Liverpool more than doubled their opponents’ shot total. Five efforts on target from 21 attempts nevertheless show that this volume did not consistently become an accurate enough threat.

Those totals cover the whole game. On their own, they cannot establish that Liverpool were already dominant to the same extent at 11 against 11. The dismissal changed the available space and Brentford’s defensive workload. Victory confirms the Reds’ ability to exploit the new circumstances; it does not prove their early difficulties have been resolved.

The clearest criticism concerns their management of the game after taking the lead. Brentford still created a major chance, Igor Thiago failing to finish a move involving Mamadou Sangaré and Jaidon Anthony. With an extra player and a lead, Liverpool should have done more to prevent that opening. Their decisive finishing earned the win, but the closing stages lacked the expected security.

Very different individual responsibilities

Yarmoliuk was Brentford’s biggest disappointment: his dismissal undermined a favourable position. Vitaly Janelt then received a second booking for a foul on Rio Ngumoha in second-half stoppage time. Brentford finished with nine, but it would be wrong to explain both goals through that two-player disadvantage: the second red card came after Liverpool had turned the score around.

For Liverpool, Isak delivered the finish that secured the three points after a quiet first half. Barcola missed a major one-on-one chance against Kelleher before the break, then provided the decisive knockdown and hit the crossbar after the second goal. His contribution therefore combined costly imprecision with a direct part in the win: his assist should not erase the missed opportunity.

SNA player of the match: Víctor Muñoz

We choose Muñoz. After Jeremie Frimpong, who had come on at half-time, was forced off, Muñoz moved to right-back. That did not stop him getting forward to score the equaliser. His adaptation and attacking contribution give him our vote, ahead of Isak for his finishing and Mac Allister for his involvement in the winner.

Liverpool now have 12 points. Brentford remain on 10 points and suffer their first league defeat. The departures of Dominik Szoboszlai and Frimpong raise fitness concerns, without justifying any invented recovery timeline. For Andoni Iraola, the three points are secured. Collective control still needs improvement.