FRANKFURT, Germany — Liverpool was eager to avoid the number five in their latest outing against Eintracht Frankfurt. Instead of suffering a fifth consecutive defeat across all competitions, Arne Slot’s squad broke their losing streak with a commanding 5-1 victory in the Champions League, addressing many of the concerns surrounding the Premier League champions.
However, not all questions were resolved.
Slot must have been pleased to see £100 million summer signing Florian Wirtz register two assists during the emphatic victory, showcasing a midfield coordination that included Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones, even with an abundance of attacking talent present.
Yet, while the positives from such a decisive win following a four-match losing streak are evident, there was a downside: a dismal 45-minute performance from Alexander Isak, the £125 million British record signing. He was substituted at halftime for Federico Chiesa due to a groin complaint, following a notably ineffective showing.
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Just last Friday, before their 2-1 Premier League loss to Manchester United at Anfield, Slot stated that Isak had no more excuses regarding his form and fitness following a pre-season marred by limited training due to his transfer from Newcastle United.
“We can assess him fairly from this point on,” Slot mentioned just days ago. However, after opting to start the Swedish international in place of Mohamed Salah against Eintracht, the Liverpool manager will surely be thankful to Hugo Ekitike, the £69 million summer recruit from Frankfurt, for once again delivering with a goal while his more prominent strike partner struggled.
“Alex had to come off because he felt discomfort in his groin,” Slot informed reporters. “Let’s hope it’s nothing serious.”
Isak has now scored just one goal in eight games and could face additional time off, whereas Ekitike boasts six goals in 12 matches, displaying the kind of form that positions him as the standout player likely to thrive under pressure. With Liverpool trailing 1-0 after Rasmus Kristensen scored in the 26th minute, Ekitike transformed the match with a brilliant equalizer just nine minutes later.
In a matter of seconds, after Andy Robertson cleared the ball from Liverpool’s box, Ekitike showcased his lightning speed and composure to score against his former team.
That finish reflected the quality of a top scorer—something Isak can only aspire to achieve right now. Just four minutes after Ekitike’s goal, Virgil van Dijk‘s header put Liverpool ahead, and another header from Ibrahima Konaté made it 3-1 by halftime.
Ultimately, Ekitike’s goal ignited a transformative shift, turning a dismal evening into a remarkable one for Liverpool. The second half produced goals from Cody Gakpo and Szoboszlai—both set up by Wirtz—solidifying the decisive victory. In fact, had Liverpool netted seven or eight goals, it wouldn’t have been an exaggeration based on their dominant display.
That said, Eintracht’s performance was lackluster, revealing a significant gap in quality between the two sides. While Liverpool will certainly draw confidence from this win and the end of their losing streak, true validation of their recovery will come this Saturday when they visit Brentford in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, Slot suggested that the tactics of their opponents might have made it easier for his team. “We were able to exert pressure on the opposition,” he remarked. “But this was a challenge in recent matches because the ball frequently remained in the air.”
As Brentford is known for their set-piece strategies, the dynamic of the game will be very different, prompting further evaluation of Liverpool’s true form. If they can withstand the challenges ahead and if Wirtz can replicate his Frankfurt performance within the more demanding Premier League environment, this victory may indeed mark a crucial turning point Liverpool has long sought.
While Wirtz thrived in exploiting Eintracht’s frailties, he was also vulnerable to being overpowered, as seen before the home side’s first goal, an encounter that indicates the challenges he faces in the more physically demanding Premier League.
The coming weeks will reveal if Wirtz has overcome his obstacles, just as they will for Liverpool at large.
Ultimately, a win remains vital, regardless of the opposition. If this triumph in Frankfurt propels Slot and his team forward, their losing streak could soon be forgotten.
However, it is crucial for Liverpool to build on this success to ensure it is not merely a fleeting moment.