“Reds Face Uphill Battle: Liverpool Travel to Frankfurt Seeking Champions League Revival”
As the UEFA Champions League league phase heats up, ailing Premier League champions Liverpool travel to Deutsche Bank Park for a pivotal encounter with Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday.
For Arne Slot’s Reds, desperate to snap a demoralizing four-game losing streak, this fixture represents a golden opportunity to regroup. Frankfurt, fresh off a gritty draw, aim to capitalize on home soil where they’ve won five of their last six European outings. History favors Liverpool unbeaten in 14 UEFA ties against German sides since 2002.
Short Preview:
A Battle for Breathing Room, Liverpool, sitting 17th in the Champions League table with just three points from two games, arrive in Germany licking wounds from a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray and a humiliating 2-1 home loss to Manchester United.
That’s zero wins, with just three goals scored against eight conceded a far cry from their title-winning 2024-25 campaign. Defensively frail and lacking clinical edge up top, the Reds sit third in the Premier League.
Frankfurt, languishing in 15th after a 5-1 thrashing at Atletico Madrid, salvaged pride with a 2-2 draw at Freiburg but remain winless in their last three across all competitions.
Eintracht Frankfurt, meanwhile, show flashes of the Europa League pedigree that stunned West Ham in 2022. Their last five: a pulsating 2-2 draw at Freiburg (Burkardt’s brace salvaging a point), a 3-0 Bundesliga romp over Bochum, a 2-1 home win vs. Hoffenheim, but tempered by a 5-1 Champions League demolition at Atletico and a 3-2 loss to Bayern Munich.
Tactical Battle:
- Liverpool’s High Press vs. Frankfurt’s Rapid Transitions: Liverpool, under Arne Slot, will likely employ a high-pressing game to disrupt Frankfurt’s build-up. However, Frankfurt’s speed and directness in transition could cause problems for Liverpool’s defense.
- Midfield Control: Frankfurt’s midfield duo of Hugo Larsson and Ellyes Skhiri will play a crucial role in controlling the tempo of the game. Liverpool’s midfield, featuring Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, will need to be at their best to counter Frankfurt’s attacking threat.
- Wing Play: Liverpool’s wingers, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, will look to exploit Frankfurt’s defensive vulnerabilities, while Frankfurt’s own wingers, Ritsu Doan and Ansgar Knauff, will aim to stretch Liverpool’s defense.
Injury Concerns for each Teams:
Eintracht Frankfurt:
- Elias Baum: Thigh injury (ruled out)
- Oscar Højlund: Thigh muscle injury (sidelined)
Liverpool:
- Ryan Gravenberch: Ankle injury (ruled out)
- Alisson Becker: Hamstring injury (out for this match)
- Giovanni Leoni: ACL injury (long-term absence)
- Stefan Bajcetic: Hamstring injury (absent)
- Jayden Danns: Hamstring injury (out)
- Wataru Endo: Hamstring issue (doubtful)
Key Player Battles:
Jonathan Burkardt vs. Virgil van Dijk: Frankfurt’s striker Burkardt has been in excellent form, scoring in both of Frankfurt’s Champions League games. Liverpool’s defender Van Dijk will need to be at his best to contain Burkardt’s threat.
Cody Gakpo vs. Rasmus Kristensen: Liverpool’s winger Gakpo has been in good form, and will look to exploit Frankfurt’s left flank. Frankfurt’s full-back Kristensen will need to be solid defensively to prevent Gakpo from causing damage.
Predicted Lineups:
- Eintracht Frankfurt (4-2-3-1): Kauã Santos; Kristensen, Koch, Theate, Brown; Larsson, Skhiri; Doan, Uzun, Knauff; Burkardt
- Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
X Factors:
Eintracht Frankfurt:
- Jonathan Burkardt: Burkardt unleashes his goal-scoring prowess, finding the back of the net with precision and power.
- Hugo Larsson: Larsson dictates the tempo, using his exceptional vision to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Liverpool:
- Hugo Ekitike: Frankfurt already knowing the deadly skill sets that Ekitike possess will hope he does not continue his impressive form impressive when called upon unlike his attacking compatriots.
- Federico Chiesa: Chiesa though not used much has been their most impactful player for Liverpool weaving through Frankfurt’s defense with his exceptional dribbling skills, creating chaos and scoring opportunities.
“Liverpool takes on Eintracht Frankfurt in a thrilling Champions League encounter, with the Reds looking to snap their four-game losing streak. Whichever team wins will gain a crucial advantage in the group standings!”
