Frankfurt 1–5 Liverpool: Ekitike and Szoboszlai Shine as Reds End Losing Streak

Liverpool produced a commanding performance in Frankfurt, running out 5–1 winners on matchday three of the Champions League. Head coach Arne Slot made five changes to the side that faced Manchester United at the weekend, with Mohamed Salah dropped to the bench and Ryan Gravenberch unavailable after picking up an ankle issue. Hugo Ekitike started against his former club, for whom he scored 22 goals across all competitions.

The night began with an early setback for the hosts when Jeremie Frimpong was forced off in the 19th minute with a hamstring injury, replaced by Conor Bradley at right-back. Frankfurt struck first through Rasmus Kristensen in the 26th minute, his effort squeezing through Andy Robertson’s legs and bouncing off the post into the net. It was his first goal in the competition, having not featured in the opening two games.

Liverpool’s defensive struggles continued to show they have now conceded 18 goals in 13 games this season, compared to just seven at the same stage last year. The team has also kept only two clean sheets in their last 18 matches in all competitions, conceding 28 goals in total.

Liverpool, however, responded swiftly. In the 35th minute, Ekitike scored against his old club, choosing not to celebrate out of respect. It was his first Champions League goal and his sixth for Liverpool. The move began with a first-time pass from Andy Robertson, sending Ekitike through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The forward kept his composure, sliding the ball beneath him to level the score. It was also the first time Liverpool had scored in the first half since their League Cup tie against Southampton.

Just four minutes later, Virgil van Dijk put Liverpool ahead with his 34th goal for the club. Cody Gakpo’s corner was met by the skipper, who powered his header past the keeper. The turnaround was complete before the break, when Ibrahima Konaté added a third in the 45th minute. Another corner, this time delivered by Dominik Szoboszlai, was met with a bullet header from the defender. Both corners in the first half resulted in goals.

At half-time, Liverpool led 3–1. Liverpool introduced Federico Chiesa for Isak. With that scoreline in the first half Frankfurt have now conceded five times in the final fifteen minutes of the first half this Champions League season more than any other team in the competition.

The visitors extended their lead when Gakpo made it 4–1, finishing off a fine cross from Florian Wirtz. It was Wirtz’s first assist for Liverpool since the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace. Gakpo added a goal to his earlier assist his fourth of the season with a calm finish at the far post.

Just minutes later, Szoboszlai added Liverpool’s fifth with a superb strike from outside the penalty area. Wirtz again provided the assist, his second in four minutes. The goal was a low, driven shot that beat the Frankfurt keeper with precision. Seven of Szoboszlai’s 17 goals for Liverpool in all competitions have now come from outside the box.

By full-time, five different players had found the net for Liverpool. With Salah not starting, questions will inevitably arise over whether he should be rotated more often particularly as he has now gone seven games without a non-penalty goal, something he has never done before.

For Frankfurt, this marked their third 5–1 scoreline of the campaign, having previously lost 5–1 to Atlético Madrid and beaten Galatasaray by the same margin. For Liverpool, it was a much-needed result after four consecutive defeats. The emphatic win moves them into the top half of the Champions League table, sitting in 10th place, with Eintracht Frankfurt dropping down to 22nd.