Iraola: Three points at Brentford very valuable for Liverpool

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola credited his side's patience after a 2-1 comeback victory at Brentford on Saturday, with the Reds overturning a deficit against nine men to claim three Premier League points.

Keane Lewis-Potter's header gave Brentford the lead, but the home side were reduced to ten men in first-half stoppage time when Yehor Yarmoliuk was sent off by VAR for violent conduct. Victor Munoz levelled after the hour mark before Alexander Isak — who now has five league goals this season — finished cleverly to complete the turnaround. Bees captain Vitaly Janelt was also dismissed late on for a second bookable offence.

"I think they are a very important three points for us because I think it's very expensive to win here," Iraola said. "Brentford are a very good team, especially at home, and to finish with three points here is very valuable."

Iraola also addressed a VAR-overturned penalty decision, suggesting the intervention was inconsistent with an earlier call against Liverpool this season. "I think the penalty situation, watching the replay — it's clear. I think Dango touches the ball. I don't think it's a penalty, but also I don't think the VAR should intervene in those situations because there is clear contact after," he said.

The Liverpool head coach praised the performance of Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola in the final third, noting that Wirtz created the most chances in a single Premier League game this season. "Especially in the second half, if you need a player there, you need Flo," Iraola said. "There's very few spaces, small pockets, time on the ball — you need players like Flo, like Rio, like Victor, who can make the difference."

The win moves Liverpool to 12 points from seven games, sitting fifth in the Premier League table.