Alexander Isak injury the one blip on an otherwise good night for Liverpool

FRANKFURT – Liverpool's emphatic 5-1 Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday not only snapped a four-game losing streak but also offered a glimpse of what could be a potent attacking partnership – if injuries do not get in the way.

Hugo Ekitike started alongside fellow summer signing Alexander Isak for the first time with mixed results. Ekitike scored Liverpool's first goal of the night, while Isak, who missed pre-season due to his protracted move from Newcastle United, left the game at half-time with a groin injury.

"We've created many, many chances lately but haven't been able to score," Liverpool manager Arne Slot said.

"Today, with Alex and Hugo, I had two players on the pitch who are usually able to score goals. Both of them did what I was hoping for, making runs in behind, making sure you're a big threat, and both of them did well.

"Alex was close a few times, but had to go off at half-time. That's the difficult balance we're managing with him. He hardly trained before joining, and we've been building him up step by step.

"You feel like there must be a moment where he can play twice a week. The first time we try, he has to go off. And let's hope that is not that bad."

Liverpool had a quick turnaround after playing Manchester United on Sunday, a match they lost 2-1. 

Slot noted that Isak played twice in a week for Sweden during the recent international break, after the club had informed the national team that he was fit enough for that.

But he emphasised the challenges of integrating the forward, particularly with the team's demanding schedule. 

"If you're Liverpool, you play every three days," the Dutchman added. "We've had to play three times in seven days this season, which is tough without a proper pre-season."

Slot was also happy for Ekitike, who scored a brilliant breakaway goal against his former team.

"The first goal Hugo scored was special. You could see it in his face – that moment meant everything," he said. "These are the moments we were hoping for."

Jeremie Frimpong limped off early in the game after aggravating a hamstring injury. Slot said he expects the right-back to be sidelined for several weeks.

Rasmus Kristensen opened the scoring for the home side and after Ekitike levelled for Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai all grabbed goals, the latter two assisted by Florian Wirtz on his return to Germany.

The win will do Liverpool’s confidence as a whole the world of good but Slot’s side will face bigger tests than Frankfurt, who have now conceded 23 goals in their past six games.

The Reds had 14 shots on target to Frankfurt’s one, keeping Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer on his toes all night.

It was Liverpool’s first taste of victory since Sept 23, and the first time they had scored three goals in the first half of a game since December 2024.

Slot’s men climbed to 10th in the 36-team Champions League table with six points after three games. They host Real Madrid on Nov 4. Frankfurt, who dropped to 22nd in the table, travel to Napoli the same day.

“We know what quality we have in the team – all world-class players,” Wirtz said. “We didn’t start well but we came together and turned the match around.”

On his assists, he added: “I can do much, much more. I’m satisfied we won and that I finally laid on some goals.”

Liverpool captain van Dijk, meanwhile, said the win was “something to build on”.

“Obviously we are disappointed with losing games, so it’s something we have to deal with, stick together and keep working,” the defender said on TNT Sports. REUTERS, AFP