Liverpool are hoping that their dismal run of form will come to a close when they visit Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Reds have now lost four on the bounce in all competitions after Manchester United escaped Anfield with a 2–1 victory on Sunday. Cody Gakpo eventually restored parity for the hosts after Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener, but Harry Maguire then struck with a pinpoint header to inflict more misery upon the Premier League champions.
Another defeat would dent their hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 of this competition automatically, with Galatasaray beating Liverpool 1–0 in Gameweek 2 of the league phase. Last season, the Reds were dominant at this stage, but they’re going to have to work incredibly hard for points this time around.
Fortunately, they’re facing up against a porous Frankfurt team that have conceded the most goals in the Bundesliga through seven games. However, they’re also the division’s top scorers, so Wednesday’s duel has the makings of a goal-fest.
After starting the league phase with an emphatic victory over Gala, Dino Toppmöller’s side succumbed to a beatdown at the hands of Atlético Madrid last time out.
The hosts don’t have too many concerns heading into their first meeting with Liverpool since 1972. However, they will be without Oscar Højlund and Elias Baum due to thigh injuries.
They have been free-scoring this season despite losing Omar Marmoush and Hugo Ektiiké in 2025, with teenager Can Uzun and summer arrival Jonathan Burkadt emerging as Frankfurt’s new shining lights in attack this season.
Hugo Larsson is a high-regarded midfielder who’ll start in Toppmöller’s pivot, and another summer addition, Ritsu Doan, has also been impressive since joining the club.
Ryan Gravenberch has missed training in the build-up to Wednesday’s game as a result of the ankle injury he picked up against Man Utd on Sunday. The Dutchman has not travelled for the game, which means there could be room for Curtis Jones in Slot’s team.
Florian Wirtz should also come back into the side, with Liverpool travelling to his homeland. Slot could also include Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké in the same starting XI for the first time. The latter joined the club from Frankfurt in the summer.
