Isak Winner Caps Liverpool Comeback in 2-1 Win at Brentford

Liverpool came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with second half goals from Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak. Brentford led through Keane Lewis-Potter, played the whole second half with 10 men after a red card deep in first half stoppage time, and finished with nine.

Brentford started the day unbeaten, and they were the better side for long spells of the first half. Bradley Barcola missed a clear chance for Liverpool in the 20th minute, clipping his shot wide when clean through on Caoimhin Kelleher. Liverpool then thought they had a penalty for a challenge by Michael Kayode on Alexis Mac Allister, but the decision was overturned after a review showed Kayode had touched the ball.

The home side scored in the 44th minute. Igor Thiago had time to cross from the right and Lewis-Potter got between two defenders to head in at the far side. The half still had one big moment left. Yehor Yarmoliuk was sent off in the eighth minute of stoppage time for a headbutt on Jeremy Jacquet, spotted by the video assistant referee.

The comeback

Liverpool used the extra man after the break, but the cost kept rising. Dominik Szoboszlai had already limped off in the first half. Jeremie Frimpong came on at half time and limped off himself within minutes. Andoni Iraola went more attacking, and it worked.

Munoz levelled in the 62nd minute. Florian Wirtz played him in, he cut inside on his left foot and swept a low finish into the bottom corner. Eight minutes later Isak won it. Barcola headed a ball down in the area and Isak controlled it and fired a low shot through a crowd and into the far corner in the 70th minute. Isak had barely been in the game until that moment.

Brentford, down to 10, still pushed late on. Vitaly Janelt was sent off in the second minute of stoppage time, a second red card for the home side, and Liverpool saw out the remaining minutes.

What it means

The result ends Brentford's unbeaten start to the season. Keith Andrews and his side were one of only three unbeaten teams after six matches, and they will feel they gave this one away: a goal up, then a red card for a headbutt that changed the game.

For Liverpool it is a hard, useful win. Iraola lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City in the league last weekend and needed a response. His side won 6-3 at LASK in the Champions League in midweek, and this comeback makes it two wins in a week. The worry is the injury list: Szoboszlai and Frimpong both went off, and Liverpool cannot keep losing full backs and midfielders at this rate.