Match Report: Eintracht Frankfurt 1 - Liverpool FC 5

Match Date: 22nd October 2025 8pm (UK time)

Eintracht Frankfurt Scorers:

Rasmus Kristensen – 26th minute (assisted by Mario Götze)

Liverpool FC Scorers:

Hugo Ekitike – 35th minute (assisted by Andrew Robertson)

Virgil van Dijk – 39th minute (header, assisted by Cody Gakpo)

Ibrahima Konaté – 44th minute (header, assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai)

Cody Gakpo – 66th minute (assisted by Florian Wirtz)

Dominik Szoboszlai – 70th minute (assisted by Florian Wirtz)

Lineups: Teams

Match Report:

A win was a must for under fire coach Arne Slot and luckily for him he delivered.  After the complete meltdown against Manchester United, Slot finally made some long awaited changes to the starting lineup; Salah, Kerkez were benched along with Bradley, as Slot opted to start with Hugo Ekitike, Robertson and Frimpomg.  The fans favourite midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was not spared either as Slot opted to start with Curtis Jones in a double pivot with the ever present Szoboszlai and the other big news was starting Wirtz.  Ryan Gravenberch was not available for this game as he is still nursing an ankle injury sustained in the last game against United (should I say Yanited ?).

The first 15 minutes it appeared Liverpool had some control, but there was a lack of rythem as at times the midfielders looked like they were  walking into each other, I guess that Curtis Jones and Szoboszlai would need to get used to each other again and avoid trying to cover the same spaces.  In any case it was not long until Frankfurt found a pass to a midfielder who seemed to be in an ocean of space in the centre with room to run into without being caught.  That run and his pass to Kristensen led to a goal by the former Leeds United player.  At that point one could only think same old Liverpool.

From then on Frankfurt went into a low block while Liverpool did their usual probing but Frankfurt are one of those teams that like to try their luck at the slightest opportunity and it would be this attitude that eventually led to them conceding the next 5 goals to Liverpool.

The first goal by Liverpool could be from Klopp's playbook, a swift pass by Robertson from the Liverpool third and into space for Ekitike to chase, run with, and show that he is clinical in a one on one situation.  He did not celebrate that much out of respect for his old club, but if he did - it would not be suprising given his last celebration after scoring got him sent off for a second bookable offence.

Leading upto the next two goals Liverpool were dominant and had won a number of corners.  However, annoyingly one or other Liverpool player would do some silly foul for the referee to award a free kick to Frankfurt.  When you think that Arsenal are nearly always scoring from corners, it is deeply distressing watching Liverpool needlessly squandering such opportunities.  But surprisingly the next two goals would come from corners, first Virgil and then Konate - both defenders powered their headers in giving the goalkeeper no chance, and the suspect defending especially for Konate's goal did the damage.

Liverpool continues to dominate, and Wirtz was showing why he cost so much as he linked the play like a number 10 should and throughout demonstrating his technical ability in tight areas.  Cody Gakpo was linking well with the overall play, and Wirtz managed to provide him a perfectly weighed low cross in the Frankfurt penalty area for him to score.  The other midfielder Szoboszlai was playing more freely as well, freely because he was making the right passes, and here the observation and reason can only be because Salah is not on the pitch.  Both of them used and moved into the right side at the right moments because Salah was not present, and it was no wnder that Szlobosszlai scored from outside the aeea with a powerful low shot.  You just know that if Salah was on the pitch, he would be looking to pass than take the shot.

The last 15 minutes of the game saw a string of substitutions, first Chiesa who bought on a lot of energy and nearly scored a wonderful goal. But later Salah would come on, and suddenly the team would be lesser than what they seemed before.  Salah had a clear opportunity to pass to Wirtz  who could have had a tap in but instead chose to shoot and miss.  This is the problem, it appears he is unwilling to give an inch to his team or Wirtz and its not the first time this season.

Other notable performances included Bradley who came on for the injured Frimpong, and did very well, no booking and a very good supporting act on the right. Robertson on the left had a very assured performance, no mistakes and did not venture forward much; as has been noticed by many a pundit, Liverpools starting lineup would settle into a back three throughout the game where Robertson would take his role as the left sided defender.

This was a small step to correct many faults, Slot took a gamble and he had to because the early season luck had run out.  So it is now a case of him deciding who starts against Brentford ? It is possible that Isak will not play due to a slight groin injury, and it could be too early for Gravenberch.  Therefore we will find out on Saturday if Slot returns to type by starting those same players who had failed to win the previous 4 games.