By: Manoah Kikekon
FRANKFURT, Germany – Liverpool unleashed a devastating attacking display to obliterate their four-game losing streak, running out 5-1 victors against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. In a match filled with narratives, it was Hugo Ekitike who sparked the revival against his former club, setting the stage for a dominant Reds performance.
The ghosts of Liverpool’s recent woes looked to have followed them to Germany, as they conceded first for a fifth consecutive match. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Rasmus Kristensen fired the hosts ahead on a swift counter-attack, piling the pressure on manager Arne Slot, who had made the bold decision to bench the out-of-form Mohamed Salah.
However, the Reds’ response was immediate and emphatic. On 35 minutes, Andy Robertson won possession and launched a superb long-range pass to Hugo Ekitike, who calmly slotted past the keeper to level the score. The goal, scored against his old side, acted as a catalyst, unleashing a torrent of goals from the visitors.
Just four minutes later, Virgil van Dijk rose highest to power in a header from a Cody Gakpo corner. Before the halftime whistle could blow, his central defensive partner, Ibrahima Konaté, repeated the feat, bullying his marker to head home another and send Liverpool into the break with a commanding 3-1 lead.
The second half saw Liverpool pick up where they left off, with the much-discussed Florian Wirtz finally coming to life in a Reds shirt. The German playmaker, who had yet to register a goal or assist in the Premier League or Champions League since his big-money move, suddenly turned provider.
Wirtz first teed up Cody Gakpo for Liverpool’s fourth, before delivering another assist for Dominik Szoboszlai just four minutes later, effectively putting the match to bed and showcasing the quality he was bought for.
The 5-1 victory will provide a massive boost to the confidence of Arne Slot’s squad, who were staring down the barrel of their worst losing run in 73 years. The result not only stops the rot but also reasserts their attacking threat in the Champions League.
While the performance was a positive step, questions will remain about the defense, which conceded first yet again. The win comes against a struggling Eintracht Frankfurt side that has now shipped 23 goals in its last six matches. For Liverpool, the true test will be whether they can replicate this dominant form against Europe’s elite as the competition progresses.