Isak winner lifts Liverpool to fifth as nine-man Brentford lose unbeaten start

Liverpool beat Brentford 2-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, October 17, recovering from a half-time deficit to move into fifth place in the Premier League. According to Jacob Steinberg's match report for The Guardian, Victor Muñoz equalised before Alexander Isak scored the winner in the 70th minute. Brentford finished with nine players, lost their unbeaten start and dropped out of the top four.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPMFgvJLrKM

The visitors had early opportunities but failed to convert them. Bradley Barcola missed after an error from Vitaly Janelt, while Isak headed over. Brentford then threatened on the break, with Jérémy Jacquet making an important challenge to stop Igor Thiago. Liverpool also had a penalty decision reversed after video review showed Dango Ouattara had reached the ball before his collision with Alexis Mac Allister.

Brentford took advantage when Liverpool failed to clear. Thiago delivered a cross and Keane Lewis-Potter arrived from left-back to head into the top corner. The hosts' position changed during first-half stoppage time, however, when Yehor Yarmolyuk clashed with Jacquet before a Liverpool corner. Referee John Brooks reviewed the incident at the pitchside monitor and dismissed the midfielder for a headbutt, leaving Brentford to protect their lead with 10 men after the interval.

Liverpool's response was complicated by enforced changes. Dominik Szoboszlai had already gone off injured, with Trey Nyoni replacing him while Ryan Gravenberch was suspended. Jeremie Frimpong then lasted only seven minutes after coming on for Ronald Araújo before injury forced another substitution. Rio Ngumoha replaced Frimpong and supplied a cross that Virgil van Dijk volleyed wide.

The equaliser arrived in the 62nd minute. Florian Wirtz found Muñoz with a pass inside Lewis-Potter, and the winger cut back before driving a left-footed shot into the far corner. Eight minutes later, Wirtz was involved again as Mac Allister crossed, Barcola headed the ball down and Isak finished from close range. The Guardian reported that the assist was Barcola's first since joining Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain.

Brentford also lost Janelt to a second booking, but Liverpool still faced a threat from Thiago after going ahead. Manager Andoni Iraola was unhappy with aspects of his team's play while defending the lead, according to the report. Nevertheless, the two second-half goals secured the points after Liverpool's previous league defeat to Manchester City, with Wirtz and Barcola both contributing directly to the comeback.