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Brentford 1-2 Liverpool: Two Red Cards End Bees' Unbeaten Run
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- Brentford 1-2 Liverpool: Two Red Cards End Bees' Unbeaten Run
(IMAGO / Propaganda Photo)
Brentford 's unbeaten start to the season came to an end against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, with Keith Andrews' side reduced to nine men during a 2-1 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Keane Lewis-Potter had put the Bees ahead shortly before half-time, but Yehor Yarmoliuk was sent off in the eighth minute of stoppage time for an incident involving Jérémy Jacquet. Liverpool took advantage after the break, with Víctor Muñoz and Alexander Isak overturning the deficit before Brentford captain Vitaly Janelt was also dismissed late on.
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It was a disappointing result for Brentford, particularly after they had worked their way into a promising position against an injury-hit Liverpool side.
Andrews made three changes from the Bees' 2-2 draw at Villa Park, bringing Sepp van den Berg, Mathias Jensen and Dango Ouattara into the starting XI. Van den Berg made his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury, while Janelt captained the side, with Nathan Collins on the bench whilst he returns from injury.
Liverpool had the better of several early exchanges, with Bradley Barcola wasting a good opportunity after getting through on goal. The visitors also lost Dominik Szoboszlai to injury in the first half, forcing Andoni Iraola to make an early change.
Controversy followed the Bees' opener when referee John Brooks awarded Liverpool a penalty after Ouattara challenged Alexis Mac Allister. VAR then overturned the decision after a review showed the Brentford winger had won the ball.
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Lewis-Potter put the Bees ahead just two minutes later. Igor Thiago picked out the defender with a cross into the area, and his header beat Alisson to give Brentford a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute.
It looked as though Andrews' side would take that advantage into the break, but a lengthy stoppage-time incident changed the afternoon.
Yarmoliuk clashed with Jacquet inside Brentford's penalty area as Liverpool prepared to take a corner. Brooks was sent to the pitchside monitor and subsequently showed the Ukrainian a straight red card for violent conduct following a headbutting action.
Liverpool were not awarded a penalty because the ball was out of play when the incident occurred, although Brentford still faced the difficult task of protecting their lead with ten men.
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Iraola introduced Jeremie Frimpong at half-time, but the substitute lasted only six minutes before picking up an injury and being replaced by Rio Ngumoha.
Brentford kept Liverpool out for the opening 17 minutes of the second half, with the visitors enjoying the extra space and possession afforded by their numerical advantage.
Florian Wirtz eventually found Muñoz in the 62nd minute, and the Spaniard finished past former Liverpool keeper Caoimhín Kelleher to bring the score level.
Janelt was booked shortly afterwards as Brentford attempted to contain Liverpool's pressure, but another goal followed in the 70th minute. Barcola, who had missed his earlier opportunity, assisted Isak, who found the back of the net with a creative strike.
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The Bees were left chasing an equaliser while a player short, having seen the first-half lead disappear in the space of eight minutes.
Brentford struggled to create another clear opening as Liverpool protected their advantage, and the closing stages brought further frustration when Janelt received a second yellow card in the 92nd minute for a push on Rio Ngumoha as he tried to prevent a late Liverpool attack.
The midfielder's dismissal left the Bees with nine men, for the first time in Brentford's Premier League history, sealing a difficult afternoon for Andrew, whose side had arrived unbeaten in the Premier League after two victories and four draws.
The Bees face a trip to Hull City next Sunday, now missing two midfielders through suspension who have played in all of Brentford's Premier League matches this season, providing Andrews with a fresh selection headache for the week ahead.
