Liverpool boosts Champions League tally to 6 points

Liverpool regained their winning momentum with a resounding 5-1 victory over German hosts Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday evening at Deutsche Bank Park, in the third round of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League group stage.

The emphatic win was more than just three points for the Reds; it served as a strong response to recent criticism of the team and manager Arne Slot following a string of four consecutive defeats.

Surprise lineup and Slot’s tactical intelligence Liverpool’s lineup saw a surprising move as Egyptian international Mohamed Salah was once again placed on the bench, marking his second consecutive Champions League game and fourth overall under Slot. The Dutch manager justified the decision as a purely tactical choice rather than a punishment after Salah’s underwhelming performance against Manchester United.

Slot explained to TNT Sports that the selection was challenging due to the depth of talent available but emphasized that adjustments were necessary due to absences, particularly the injury of Dutch star Ryan Gravenberch. The plan focused on increasing attacking efficiency by deploying Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike upfront, supported by Florian Wirtz and Curtis Jones in midfield with defensive responsibilities.

First half: Exchange of goals and Liverpool’s strong comeback The match began evenly, with both sides cautiously testing each other. Frankfurt, whose defense had struggled recently, took the lead in the 26th minute through Rasmus Nissen with a powerful shot from the right flank. However, Liverpool responded swiftly: Hugo Ekitike equalized in the 35th minute, followed by Virgil van Dijk’s header in the 39th minute and Ibrahima Konaté’s goal in the 43rd minute, ending the first half 3-1 in Liverpool’s favor.

Second half: Crushing the opponent and dominating the field Liverpool maintained control in the second half, exploiting Frankfurt’s defensive weaknesses. Cody Gakpo scored the fourth goal in the 66th minute, assisted by Florian Wirtz, and Dominic Szoboszlai capped the night with a powerful strike in the 70th minute, making it 5-1.

The victory elevated Liverpool to 6 points in the Champions League, surpassing Frankfurt, who remain at 3 points, strengthening Liverpool’s position in the race for qualification to the knockout stages.

The emphatic win provides Arne Slot with a perfect opportunity to rebuild team confidence after recent setbacks and set a strong foundation for the upcoming challenges.