Andoni Iraola says Liverpool were rewarded for their second-half patience after they beat nine-man Brentford 2-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
Keane Lewis-Potter headed home the opener for the Bees, but referee John Brooks reduced them to 10 men after Yehor Yarmoliuk headbutted Jeremy Jacquet at a corner toward the end of the first period.
Victor Munoz levelled for the Reds after the break and Alexander Isak struck a classy winner before Vitaly Janelt was also dismissed in stoppage time for Brentford.
Iraola praises patience and control
Liverpool boss Iraola believes his team earned the win by adapting well to their numerical advantage in the second half.
"I think we played really well with the minutes until we made it 2-1," he said. "I think we were being patient, we were finding good positions and we were controlling the game really well."
"It was probably more disappointing after we scored because we had it at 2-1 and then it felt like we had something to lose. Really, we were finding good spots, we had a lot of players forward and then we made it 2-1 and then you don't know whether to stay [back] and a lot of players saw the chance to score."
Missed chances and key contributions
"We missed a lot of chances to finish the game but overall, against 10 players, the situation we dealt with it really well. I think both (Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz) had a lot of influence the other day (against LASK) and with the chances today as well."
"Bradley missed a clear chance, he hit the bar, the chance to play in (Lewis) Koumas, when he is almost one-on-one with the keeper. The other day he scored three but I love that he is having so many chances and being in those situations."
"After that, Rio Ngumoha and Florian, they are players that are lovely to have when you play against 10 men at that moment."
Valuable three points away from home
The victory was the Reds' third of the season away from home in the Premier League and moved them up to fifth in the table going into the Sunday matches.
Iraola added: "It was a good battle today and a very good three points for us because I think it is very expensive to win here at Brentford, they are a very good team, especially at home. So to finish with three points here is very valuable yes."
Liverpool return to action on Tuesday night when they host Villarreal in the Champions League.
