Liverpool Ends Losing Streak with Thrilling Win Over Eintracht Frankfurt
Liverpool was riding a four-game losing streak going into their Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt, making a win crucial for boosting team morale.
The early stages of the match were subdued, with both teams struggling to create significant goalmouth action...
Liverpool's match against Eintracht Frankfurt was a crucial one, coming off the back of a four-game losing streak. The Reds needed a morale-boosting win to get back on track, and Curtis Jones delivered. He set a new Liverpool record for most passes in a Champions League match, completing 122 out of 127 passes.
The significance of the win cannot be overstated. Liverpool's hosts, Frankfurt, were also struggling, having lost their last three matches, including a 5-1 thrashing against Atletico Madrid in their previous Champions League assignment. However, the Reds' dominant performance saw them triumph 5-1, with Jones' passing record being just one of the highlights.
Ekitike's Return to Frankfurt Sparks Interest
Before facing Liverpool, Eintracht Frankfurt had scored 17 goals in their last six matches but also conceded 19, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities. The team's form was a key talking point ahead of the match, with many wondering how they'd fare against Liverpool's strong lineup.
The spotlight was also on Hugo Ekitike, who made a swift return to his former club after being sold to Liverpool in the summer. Fans and pundits alike wondered whether his performance would be affected by the familiarity of the surroundings and the emotions tied to his former club.
Arne Slot's decision to leave out Mohamed Salah for the second consecutive Champions League match sent shockwaves, marking the first time since joining Liverpool in 2017 that the Egyptian star has been omitted from consecutive starting lineups. The Dutch manager opted for a tactical reshuffle, starting Cody Gakpo on the left, Hugo Ekitike on the right, and Alexander Isak as the lone striker.
The early stages of the match were subdued, with both teams struggling to create significant goalmouth action. However, Alexander Isak began to make his presence felt, firing two shots on target in the eighth and tenth minutes, both of which were saved by Eintracht's goalkeeper, Michael Zetterer.
Early Concession
The Bundesliga outfit had barely launched an attack when former Leeds defender Rasmus Kristensen capitalized on a defensive lapse to score against his former team, giving Eintracht Frankfurt an early lead. This marked another instance where Liverpool's defense failed to keep a clean sheet, with the Reds conceding in 16 of their last 18 matches across all competitions.
Liverpool's Response
However, Liverpool's response was swift and decisive. Hugo Ekitike equalized with a composed finish after a precise pass from Andy Robertson, becoming the first player to score both for and against Eintracht Frankfurt in major European competition. The Reds then took control, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate scoring headers from corners before halftime to give Liverpool a 3-1 lead at the break.
Liverpool dominated possession, holding 77.4% of the ball leading up to the half-hour mark, and it seemed inevitable that they would equalize. Their patience paid off when Hugo Ekitike collected a long pass from Andrew Robertson, outpaced the Eintracht defense, and calmly slotted the ball home. This goal not only silenced the Deutsche Bank Park crowd but also made history for Ekitike, who became the first player to score both for and against Eintracht Frankfurt in European competition.
The goal gave Liverpool much-needed momentum, and they continued to press for more goals. Ekitike's strike showcased his speed and composure in front of goal, leaving the Eintracht defense struggling to cope. As the match progressed, Liverpool's attacking prowess became increasingly evident, with multiple players contributing to the team's dominance on the pitch.
Ekitike's performance was a key factor in Liverpool's victory, and his goal will be remembered as a turning point in the match. The win marked a significant turnaround for Liverpool, who had struggled to find form in recent matches. Under Arne Slot's management, the team has shown signs of improvement, and this victory could be a boost to their confidence.
Set-Piece Mastery
Liverpool's set-piece expertise proved decisive as Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate scored identical headers from corners, putting the Reds in control. Van Dijk's powerful header in the 38th minute was followed by Konate's clinical finish from the opposite side in the 44th minute, leaving Frankfurt reeling ahead of halftime.
Van Dijk's header was a testament to his aerial prowess, marking his 26th headed goal for Liverpool out of 30 goals scored for the club. Notably, all five of his Champions League goals have come from headers, showcasing his dominance in the box. Meanwhile, Konate's finish highlighted his growing importance in Liverpool's set-piece threat.
Eintracht Frankfurt conceded a fifth goal in the final 15 minutes of the first half, leaving them topping an unwanted Champions League metric. This defensive frailty suggested that Dino Toppmoller's side needed to shore up their defense as they headed into the break.
Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai was having a stellar game, completing an impressive 98% of his passes (54 out of 55 attempts). He also played a key role in Ibrahima Konate's goal, and the Hungarian midfielder would later add a late goal to his tally, capping off a fine individual performance.
Isak's Struggles Continue
Alexander Isak was substituted at halftime, continuing his disappointing form since joining Liverpool from Newcastle. After initially threatening with two early chances, he failed to make a lasting impact on the game. His passing accuracy was notably poor, completing only 66.7% of his passes, the lowest among all outfield players in the match.
A win on MD3 🙌 #UCL pic.twitter.com/NoAncnbtJN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 22, 2025
Federico Chiesa, who replaced Alexander Isak, quickly got involved in the action with a shot that flew wide. This was part of a flurry of attempts, including Ekitike's blocked shot and a half-chance from Florian Wirtz. The Reds continued to dominate, creating multiple scoring opportunities before Cody Gakpo finally sealed the win with his fourth goal, assisted by Wirtz's first competitive pass for the club.
The 4-1 scoreline marked the first time Liverpool had scored four goals in a Champions League game since November 2024 against Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz added to his contribution with his second assist of the match, setting up Dominik Szoboszlai for a late goal, rounding off a satisfying win for the Reds.
Florian Wirtz's performance marked a step forward in his adaptation to life at Anfield, following a challenging start. He played one of his better games for Liverpool, showcasing his skills and contributing to the team's success. Notably, he won the ball back seven times, a joint-high for Liverpool in the match, and added seven touches in the Eintracht box, highlighting his growing influence on the team.
The young German's confidence should receive a boost from his performance, particularly with his two assists in the match. Wirtz's ability to adapt to the team's system will be crucial as the season progresses, and this game could be a turning point for him.
Tactical Substitutions and Salah's Impact
Arne Slot's decision to make a series of late substitutions in Liverpool's match allowed key players to rest ahead of their upcoming fixture against Brentford. This move showcased Slot's strategic approach to managing his team's energy levels.
Jones' Influence and Salah's Cameo
Curtis Jones played a pivotal role in Liverpool's win, while Mohamed Salah made a notable impression during his 15-minute cameo. Salah had two shots on target, suggesting that not starting him might have been a deliberate tactical decision by Slot to keep him fresh for future matches.
Liverpool's passing prowess was on full display, with a total of 699 passes - their highest since the start of last season. Curtis Jones was instrumental in this, completing 122 passes out of 127 attempts, boasting an impressive 96.1% pass completion rate, the best individual stat of the night. He dominated one-on-one duels, participating in nine and winning five, making a strong case for himself to remain a starter in the team's next matches.
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