Liverpool’s expensively assembled attack showed signs of finally clicking as they came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1, with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola all making decisive contributions.
Isak endured a quiet evening for long periods, managing only 16 touches as Brentford worked hard to restrict him. But his second-half finish was a reminder of his quality, as he controlled the ball and fired it home with remarkable speed.
The goal was Isak’s fifth of the Premier League season, leaving him behind only Erling Haaland in the scoring charts. It also offered encouragement after a difficult first campaign.
Barcola supplied the assist after coming into the match fresh from a hat-trick against LASK in midweek. The France international was unable to score himself, missing a clear opportunity before striking the crossbar after the interval, but Liverpool’s manager welcomed his attacking involvement.
“I love that he’s having so many chances and being in those situations,” the Liverpool boss said.
Wirtz also underlined his growing influence by producing a perfectly weighted through-ball for Victor Munoz. The midfielder created nine chances in total, matching the highest number recorded by any Liverpool player in a single match since Opta began keeping the records in 2003-04.
The victory was made harder than Liverpool would have wanted after Brentford took the lead, while the hosts finished with nine men. Yehor Yarmoliuk was sent off before half-time, and the defeat extended Brentford’s unwanted record of dropping points from winning positions.
Since their promotion to the top flight in 2021, Brentford have now surrendered 105 points from winning positions, more than any other Premier League side. Saturday’s loss took their total for the season to 11 points dropped from winning positions.
