Liverpool 5-1 Frankfurt: Salah on the bench, Ekitike shines.
Arne Slot tried a 4-4-2 formation, leaving Mohamed Salah on the bench and giving roles to Gakpo, Ekitike, and Wirtz; Liverpool ended their four-match losing streak, the real test being Brentford.
Liverpool thrashed Frankfurt 5-1 to end a four-match losing streak, but the defining moment of victory came from the touchline: Arne Slot left Mohamed Salah on the bench, substituted Alexander Isak after the first half, and handed the attacking responsibilities to Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz. A bold decision, yet a test for the near future.
Developments and tactical turning points
Slot proactively "refreshed" a demoralized team with a series of drastic adjustments. The decision to substitute Isak after 45 minutes and put faith in Ekitick changed the way Liverpool pressured the opposing defense. The pace of pressing increased, off-ball movements became more frequent, and the space behind Frankfurt's midfield was exploited more effectively in the second half.
Frankfurt is not a perfect benchmark: the team is only ranked 7th in the Bundesliga, 11 points behind the leaders, has conceded 23 goals in their last 6 games and hasn't kept a clean sheet since April. But in terms of spirit and structure, Liverpool have found the rhythm they were missing during their slump.
The 4-4-2 formation is almost standard, and Wirtz plays a "left-sided" role.
The setup is similar to a 4-4-2: Wirtz starts on the left but is allowed to drift into the center to create an additional creative winger between the lines. This flexibility stretches Frankfurt's defense, allowing Liverpool better control and opening up triangular passing combinations between Wirtz, full-backs, and forwards in half-space incursions.
On the vertical axis, the central midfield pair gain additional support from Wirtz's ball-receiving runs in the middle of the pitch, thereby shortening the transition time. When the opponent doesn't constantly send long balls, Liverpool can easily set up first and second-tier pressing traps – exactly the kind Slot wants.
Ekitike and the center forward problem
Ekitike is a bright spot. He moves flexibly, exploits the space behind the center-backs, and presses tirelessly – qualities that Isak hasn't fully demonstrated. However, Isak's groin injury means Slot doesn't have enough data to assess the potential of combining the two strikers if they were both present.
Wirtz returns to orbit.
After a difficult start, Wirtz showed increasing confidence: delicate touches and passes that cut through the pressing began to appear regularly. This is exactly the kind of "off-center playmaker" that Slot needed for his two-striker attacking structure.
"The elephant in the room" is named Salah.
Salah's benching is not just a short-term decision, but also a test for the "post-Salah" scenario – something that will inevitably happen when the Egyptian striker is expected to head to AFCON in December. Slot is even willing to sideline Mac Allister, showing that he is not afraid to challenge the power dynamics in the dressing room to reshape the team's playing structure.
The numbers speak for themselves.
| Index | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 5-1 | Liverpool beat Frankfurt |
| Pre-match series | 4 losses | Liverpool end their losing streak. |
| Location of Frankfurt | 7th place in the Bundesliga | 11 points behind the leader. |
| Frankfurt conceded a goal. | 23 goals in 6 matches | The defense has clearly deteriorated. |
| Frankfurt Clean Sheet | Not available since April. | The streak of not keeping a clean sheet lasted for an extended period. |
| Liverpool diagram | Nearly 4-4-2 | Wirtz drifted to the left, swerving towards the center. |
The lingering impact and message from Slot
“Frankfurt made it easier for us to press because the ball wasn't being lofted as much as against previous opponents,” Slot shared after the match. This statement was a subtle jab at Manchester United and Chelsea – two teams that had recently defeated Liverpool using a long-ball, direct style of play. The tactical highlight was therefore clear: when opponents didn't push forward early, Slot's Liverpool controlled and stifled the midfield.
The impact and the Brentford test
This victory helped to ease the tension, but it's not enough to declare "Liverpool are back." The big question is whether the 4-4-2 (or 4-2-2-2 variant) structure is sustainable in the Premier League, depending on whether Ekitike and Wirtz maintain their form, and whether Isak can return to his best form. Brentford – their upcoming opponent with a long-ball, direct style – will be the true test of what Slot is building.
Liverpool's emphatic victory relieved the fans' frustration, and gave Slot more time to refine the next version of the team. But the road from a 5-1 win to a long-term competitive identity is still winding – and Brentford will show whether they are heading in the right direction or just escaping a short-term dream.
