After four straight defeats, Liverpool rediscovered their attacking spark with a 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, with Hugo Ekitike’s strike earning “Special” praise from Arne Slot.
Liverpool’s season has been defined so far by extremes. Seven successive wins at the start of the campaign had them flying, seemingly untouchable, a side operating at a level reserved for the very best.
Yet four consecutive defeats against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea, and Manchester United had plunged them into uncertainty, raising questions about form, cohesion, and even the squad’s long-term strategy. In the age of social media hyperbole, it is easy to declare a team “useless” after a handful of poor results, just as one praises them as “world-beaters” at the first sign of success. Rationality as ever, is the hardest thing to maintain.
Wednesday night in Frankfurt provided a necessary corrective. The 5-1 victory was emphatic, yes, but its significance goes beyond the score line. It was a night of structure, of clarity, of purpose a reminder of what Liverpool are capable of when everything clicks.
There were moments of beauty and authority, from Dominik Szoboszlai commanding the midfield with precision to Curtis Jones moving with a calm aggression that suggested ownership of the spaces in front of him. Hugo Ekitike, restored to the starting XI, delivered a composed and special finish that set the tone, demonstrating why he is an essential piece of Arne Slot’s attacking blueprint.
Florian Wirtz, who has struggled to find rhythm in English football, also showed his quality, contributing two assists and blending creativity with intelligence. The set pieces, previously a source of frustration, were ruthless: two corners, two goals, and a demonstration of the kind of precision that top sides rely upon. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté both rose to claim dominance in the box, underscoring how much can be achieved when preparation meets execution.
Yet the night also highlighted ongoing challenges. Alexander Isak’s groin injury forced him off at half-time, and Jeremie Frimpong limped off early, tempering the euphoria. Mohamed Salah, once again coming off the bench, displayed flashes of brilliance but continued to make puzzling decisions, reminding everyone that the Reds cannot rely solely on talent without structure. His role remains a question Slot must answer as Liverpool navigate the coming weeks.
Slot himself was understandably pleased with the performance, particularly Ekitike’s influence:
“The first goal he scored was special. You can see the space in the moment like this and these are all the moments you are hoping for before the game. We were able to create many, many, many chances, but unfortunately we were not always able to score them [lately].”
On the contribution of his forwards, he added:
“Today with Alex (Isak) and Hugo, we had two on the pitch who are usually able to score goals. Alex was a few times close, but had to go off at half time, that is not something you ask for. That’s the difficult balance with him. Both of them did what I was hoping for, making runs in behind, making sure they are a big threat. And both of them did well.”
Slot also addressed Ekitike’s adaptation, noting the broader context of his performance:
“I wouldn’t say Hugo [has adapted] the quickest but he has done well for us every time he plays. But the focus is maybe on goals and assists – which he has done well for us – but there are other parts of the game which are needed to win a game of football. I saw players working really hard for them to create one or two counters and one of them we scored, which is a main part of our game. Hugo had a big chance and scored, Alex had a few, didn’t score yet but unfortunately had to come off at half time.”
The first half saw an early scare, with Frankfurt taking the lead through Rasmus Kristensen. But Liverpool responded immediately, Ekitike calmly slotting the ball through the keeper’s legs to equalise. From that moment, the Reds took control, turning a potentially worrying scenario into a demonstration of composure and intelligence. Two corners delivered perfectly led to van Dijk and Konaté goals, giving Liverpool a comfortable lead at half-time. Florian Wirtz contributed assists for both Gakpo and Szoboszlai, cementing the night as a showcase of attacking precision and collective cohesion.
The win, however, must be viewed with context. Frankfurt’s recent defensive record had been poor they conceded ten goals in their previous three games so the Premier League will provide a sterner test. Brentford awaits on Saturday, a side unlikely to offer the same space or patience. Liverpool’s defensive shape, press, and midfield rhythm will face their truest examination in the coming fixtures.
This 5-1 victory was a statement. A night to restore self-regard, to remind both players and fans of what Liverpool football can look like. The crisis, real or perceived, is far from solved but the blueprint for resolution is clear bold selection, tactical clarity, and attacking freedom. If Slot and his squad can carry this forward, the Reds are very much back in business.
