Liverpool news: Brentford win, Szoboszlai worry and Villarreal next

Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1 at Brentford on Saturday, a result that was dissected on the club's 'The Reaction' podcast with interviews from Andoni Iraola and match-winner Rio Ngumoha.

The official extended highlights and full replay show a wobbly first half followed by a much sharper second, with Iraola's in-game changes turning the tide against a Brentford side that finished with nine men.

Ngumoha, 17, said he was glad to contribute in any way he could and spoke about staying on track after being shifted to the right wing. The win was described as Iraola passing his biggest test yet, even if the slow starts are becoming a dangerous habit to break.

Iraola was gloomy after Brentford despite the victory, questioning the VAR decision to overturn a first-half penalty awarded to Liverpool and confirming that Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong had both been forced off.

The head coach said the pair are doubts for Villarreal on Tuesday night, and the latest update lists several concerns with possible return dates still unclear. With a home Champions League game next, the focus is on who can fill in if Szoboszlai does not recover in time.

Options mentioned include shifting Ryan Gravenberch and giving minutes to academy prospects such as Trey Nyoni and James McConnell.

Liverpool host Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday night at Anfield, and the club has set out how to watch and follow the action live. Preparations step up on Monday with Iraola's pre-match press conference at 1.30pm BST followed by open training at 5pm BST.

A big talking point is Ngumoha's new position, with the teenager himself confirming he is now playing on the right wing and saying he is excited by the role after his impact at Brentford.

Ian Doyle's talking points also picked up on Bradley Barcola's display and the fury around Jeremy Jacquet's challenge, which had the away end and the Liverpool bench animated.

The main selection question for Villarreal is who leads the line, with Iraola weighing Alexander Isak against Bradley Barcola after both made their case at Brentford. There is at least a midfield boost to balance the Szoboszlai worry, giving the head coach more ways to shape the side on Tuesday.

The Echo's look at the possible XI frames it as a straight choice between Isak's central presence and Barcola's width and pace, depending on how Iraola wants to stretch Villarreal. Getting that call right matters, because Liverpool will need control early after conceding first in west London.

Opinion pieces this weekend pushed back on the early verdict on Florian Wirtz, arguing the £116 million signing from the summer has been unfairly written off and still has time to show his best at Liverpool.

Another view focused on Iraola's increasingly difficult decision for Tuesday, particularly whether to trust Trey Nyoni in midfield if Szoboszlai is absent. The tactical review of Brentford credited Iraola's half-time adjustments for flipping a game where Liverpool had looked second best before the break.

Together they paint a picture of a squad still bedding in, with the Villarreal night seen as the right stage for Wirtz or Nyoni to make a statement.

Rio Ngumoha provided an update on his future after Brentford, telling the Echo that talks are now with his agent as Liverpool try to extend the teenager's deal.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are described as locked in talks and confident of agreeing a massive deal, while Julian Ward is said to have a clear number one priority around an Argentine target waiting to be done.

Links continue to a £40m opportunity and to a 25-year-old midfielder who would require an €80m release clause to be triggered, plus fresh chatter around Gilberto Mora after the Mexican teenager dropped a cheeky hint amid agent updates.

Away from Anfield, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who is no longer in the first-team squad, has joined Chelsea on a free after leaving Brentford by mutual consent and addressed his critics.