Why Liverpool did not get a penalty vs Brentford despite Yehor Yarmolyuk’s red card headbutt

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Liverpool predictably struggled during the early stages of their trip to face Brentford on Saturday, eventually falling behind to a Keane Lewis-Potter header. The Reds were given a reprieve shortly after, though, with midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk sent off for a headbutt on Jeremy Jacquet.

Though the incident occurred in the penalty box as the pair jostled while Liverpool prepared to take a corner, no penalty was awarded by referee John Brooks.K. Lewis-Potter scores for Brentford 1-0 44'Keane Lewis-Potter of Brentford celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 1-0 during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Liverpool FC at Gtech Community Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Brentford, England.

As the ball was not in play at the time Yarmolyuk put Jacquet on the ground, the referee could not give Liverpool a spot-kick. It was double frustration for the Reds, who Brooks had awarded a penalty just minutes earlier, before VAR chalked it off after deciding that Dango Outtarra got a piece of the ball before taking Alexis Mac Allister down.