Liverpool have finally stopped the rot as they came from behind to thrash Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in the Champions League.
After a bright start by the hosts, it looked like more misery for the Reds as former Leeds right-back Rasmus Kristensen finished off a gorgeous move to put Frankfurt in front, only for former Eintracht man Hugo Ekitike to equalise shortly after.
Virgil van Dijk powered in from a corner three minutes later to flip the game on its head, before Ibrahima Konate produced a near-identical goal on the brink of half-time.
Liverpool stayed in control after the break, with Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai adding to their advantage as Arne Slot's side broke their four-game losing streak.
Follow all the latest updates from Deutsche Bank Park below:
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool LIVE
- Liverpool break their four-game losing streak with a 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt
- 70' GOAL! Szoboszlai fires in from range with Frankfurt out of sorts [FRA 1-5 LIV]
- 66' GOAL! Wirtz puts it on a plate for Gakpo as Liverpool make it four [FRA 1-4 LIV]
- 45' GOAL! Konate scores from another Liverpool corner to give Reds breathing space [FRA 1-3 LIV]
- 37' GOAL! Van Dijk powers in Liverpool's second goal in three minutes [FRA 1-2 LIV]
- 35' GOAL! Ekitike fires against former club to level [FRA 1-1 LIV]
- 26' GOAL! Kristensen finishes off gorgeous move to put Frankfurt in front [FRA 1-0 LIV]
Liverpool's next Champions League assignment: Real Madrid
Thursday 23 October 2025 00:00 , Will CastleLiverpool are back to winning ways and in good time too - because in just a couple short weeks, they’ll be playing host to Real Madrid.
Anfield will be an absolute cauldron that night. We can’t look forward to it enough.
For now, Liverpool can enjoy that victorious feeling. It’s been a minute.
Hugo Ekitike on his first start with Alexander Isak
Wednesday 22 October 2025 23:45 , Will Castle"I think it was good,” he told TNT Sports. “We can improve together and he is a very good player, we need to work together and find a good association.
"I have very good team mates, staff and I love my life here. I hope I can keep going because it's about consistency in football. I feel really good and they have helped me a lot, that is why I am calm and doing my thing."
Around the grounds
Wednesday 22 October 2025 23:30 , Will CastleIt wasn’t quite the 43 goals that were scored last night - but it was still an eventful Wednesday evening in the Champions League. Here are the scores on the doors:
Athletic Club 3-1 Qarabag
Galatasaray 3-1 Bodo/Glimt
Atalanta 0-0 Slavia Prague
Bayern Munich 4-0 Club Brugge
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Monaco 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus
Sporting CP 2-1 Marseille
Hugo Ekitike basks in victorious Frankfurt homecoming
Wednesday 22 October 2025 23:15 , Will Castle
Florian Wirtz ends his goal contribution drought
Wednesday 22 October 2025 23:00 , Will CastleFlorian Wirtz had gone 10 games without a goal or an assist for Liverpool - tonight, he bagged two in four minutes.
How Arne Slot will hope that triggers the German to rediscover his Bundesliga form of old...
Florian Wirtz puts it on a plate for Cody Gakpo to make it 4-1 to Liverpool 🌟@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/rgneJSzRYf
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 22, 2025
Virgil van Dijk: 'Don't get dragged into the negative things'
Wednesday 22 October 2025 22:45 , Will Castle"I don't know if it's a statement but it is a win and something to build on,” Van Dijk told TNT Sports.
"I've been in the football business for a while, so not relief. Obviously we are disappointed with losing games, so it's something we have to deal with, stick together and keep working.
"Today we won and have to be ready for Brentford on Saturday. We don't get dragged into the negative things that are going around. The only way you can play your game is to focus on the task ahead. Keep going, don't get dragged into all that stuff."
Report: Hugo Ekitike nets on Eintracht Frankfurt return as Liverpool break losing streak in style
Wednesday 22 October 2025 22:35 , Will CastleHugo Ekitike scored on his return to Eintracht Frankfurt as Liverpool ended their four-match losing streak with a confident 5-1 Champions League comeback victory in Germany.
The France international, who scored 26 times in 64 matches for the Bundesliga side before a £69m summer move, struck the crucial blow which got his new team back into the match after they had conceded for the eighth game in a row.
He outshone British record signing Alexander Isak, who still looks short of sharpness, with the duo paired together for the first time as head coach Arne Slot opted for something different in an attempt to change their fortunes.
Full report:
Ekitike nets on Eintracht Frankfurt return as Liverpool break losing streak in style
Arne Slot confirms Alexander Isak was brought off due to injury
Wednesday 22 October 2025 22:27 , Will CastleAlexander Isak was substituted at half-time was due to a groin problem.
“He had to go off at half-time because he felt his groin a little bit,” he said. “We’ve said it many times that it’s such a difficult balance to find with a player who was out for three months.
“You bring him slowly, people argue if you can or can’t play him more, and now we’ve played him for the second time in three days and he had to go off so let’s hope for the best.
“It’s not an easy balance to find.”
Liverpool avoid ignominious record - but Eintracht develop streak of their own
Wednesday 22 October 2025 22:15 , Will CastleBefore kick-off, there was the serious possibility that Liverpool would lose five games in a row for the first time since 1953. That record stays in tact.
However, Eintracht have now developed a streak of their own. Tonight’s result means they have been involved in three consecutive 5-1 results in the Champions League this season.
That’s made up of two losses to Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, as well as a win over Galatasaray on opening night.
Goals.
Liverpool stop the rot with thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt
Wednesday 22 October 2025 22:01 , Will Castle
FULL-TIME! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:54 , Will CastleLiverpool have finally stopped the rot as they came from behind to thrash Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in the Champions League.
After a bright start by the hosts, it looked like more misery for the Reds as former Leeds right-back Rasmus Kristensen finished off a gorgeous move to put Frankfurt in front, only for former Eintracht man Hugo Ekitike to equalise shortly after.
Virgil van Dijk powered in from a corner three minutes later to flip the game on its head, before Ibrahima Konate produced a near-identical goal on the brink of half-time.
Liverpool stayed in control after the break, with Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai adding to their advantage as Arne Slot's side broke their four-game losing streak.
FULL-TIME! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:53 , Will CastleThe streak... is over.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:53 , Will Castle90+2 mins: Another Salah opportunity sees the Egyptian go alone, cutting in before firing over.
He’s desperate to score.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:52 , Will Castle90 mins: CHANCE! How’s it not six?
Liverpool work it well to get Salah in behind the defence, and the square ball for a Wirtz tap-in is right there - but he goes alone and sees his effort saved.
Two minutes added on.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:49 , Will Castle88 mins: All credit to the Eintracht fans. They’re singing in the pouring rain, their flags still waving and scarves still raised.
An impressive fanbase, to say the least.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:45 , Will Castle84 mins: CLOSE! The closest Frankfurt have come in the second half.
Chaibi gets the better of Joe Gomez on his right foot before curling towards the far corner, with his effort just flashing wide.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:43 , Will Castle82 mins: Eintracht ticking the ball about at the back as Liverpool seem happy just to sit back and see this one out.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:39 , Will Castle77 mins: Another change for Frankfurt as Skhiri comes on for Knauff. A defensive switch that indicates damage control from Toppmöller.
With Skhiri joining Collins, Chaibi, Burkardt and Uzun, that’s all of Eintracht’s subs used up.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:37 , Will Castle75 mins: Only the Liverpool fans can be heard now. Their side are in total control at Deutsche Bank Park.
This is the third successive Champions League game where Frankfurt have been involved in a 5-1 scoreline. They won one of them.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:36 , Will Castle73 mins: That’s all she wrote for Ekitike’s evening back in Frankfurt, and he gets a lovely reception as he makes way.
He’s replaced by Salah, who will be relishing the opportunity to do damage against this out-of-sorts Frankfurt defence.
Mac Allister also comes on for Gakpo, while Gomez enters the fray for Konate.
GOAL! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool (Szoboszlai, 70')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:32 , Will CastleMake that five!
Frankfurt don’t close Szoboszlai down outside the box, and given his penchant for screamers, that’s not a wise decision.
He hits it pure and into the bottom corner, and it really is a question of how many more for the Reds.
GOAL! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-4 Liverpool (Gakpo, 66')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:27 , Will CastleAnd Liverpool do get their fourth!
It was far too easy for the Reds to get in behind, with Szoboszlai slipping Wirtz through. The German gets the weight of his pass across just right to give Gakpo an easy tap-in - and you have to say the provider of that goal will mean a lot more to Liverpool than the scorer.
That’s Wirtz’s first goal contribution since his debut in the Community Shield. How Arne Slot will hope that triggers the £100m man to start firing like his Bundesliga days.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:26 , Will Castle64 mins: OFF THE POST! So close to a fourth for Liverpool!
Bradley unleashes a rocket from inside the box but Zetterer gets a big arm to it, parrying onto the woodwork.
He might’ve conceded three tonight, but the Frankfurt stopper has put in some shift.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:23 , Will Castle62 mins: Szoboszlai with a half-chance to make it four for Liverpool as he fires wide from the centre of the box.
Didn’t catch it properly.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:20 , Will Castle58 mins: First hint at an opening of the second half for Frankfurt as Doan breaks into the box, but it’s smart defending by Szoboszlai who concedes the corner.
The delivery comes out to Theate who blasts high and wide into the crowd.
Frankfurt have turned to the bench and brought on their joint-top scorer Burkardt. He replaces Bahoya, while Collins comes on for Kristensen.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:16 , Will Castle55 mins: SAVE! Great technique on the strike from Wirtz to get it up and down, but Zetterer is equal to it.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:16 , Will Castle54 mins: Another caution for Frankfurt as Amenda hauls down Gakpo after allowing the Dutchman to get onside.
Free-kick opportunity for Liverpool - Wirtz is standing over it.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:13 , Will Castle52 mins: First booking of the night goes Doan’s way as he brings down Jones.
Liverpool have started the second half on top and completely flattened the crowd.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:12 , Will Castle49 mins: CLOSE! Chiesa so nearly scores the spectacular!
Liverpool’s corner is only half-cleared and it’s headed back over the advancing Frankfurt line, where Chiesa is waiting.
The Italian is being kept onside by a straggler and goes for the bicycle kick, but fires just wide of the post.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:09 , Will Castle47 mins: Dangerous cross from Robertson is punched rather than caught by Zetterer, with Chiesa in the middle acknowledging the quality of the delivery.
If the Italian was a tad sharper, he might’ve got there ahead of the Frankfurt stopper.
BACK UNDERWAY! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:06 , Will CastleAnd we’re off again!
Second half on the way...
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:05 , Will CastleThe teams are heading back out - and Liverpool are about to make a change.
Federico Chiesa is entering the fray, with Alexander Isak coming off.
Still no Mo Salah.
HALF-TIME! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:01 , Will CastleHas normal order been restored for Liverpool?
HALF-TIME! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:56 , Will CastleAnd breathe!
Liverpool have come from behind to lead Frankfurt by two goals in the Champions League.
After a bright start by the hosts, it looked like more misery for the Reds as former Leeds right-back Rasmus Kristensen finished off a gorgeous move.
But after Hugo Ekitike levelled the score against his former club, Virgil van Dijk powered in a header less than three minutes later to flip the contest on its head.
With Eintracht looking vulnerable from set pieces, Liverpool made it three on the brink of half-time, Ibrahima Konate this time doing the honours.
For the first time in five games, Arne Slot’s side are in control.
HALF-TIME! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:50 , Will CastleWho saw this coming 15 minutes ago?
Liverpool have breathing space at the break after a stunning turnaround in Frankfurt.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:49 , Will Castle45+2 mins: Four minutes of added time, by the way.
This could be a question of how many for Liverpool now. Frankfurt look very vulnerable.
GOAL! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Liverpool (Konate, 45')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:45 , Will CastleANOTHER CORNER, ANOTHER BULLET LIVERPOOL HEADER!
This time it’s Konate, who meets Szoboszlai’s delivery with emphatic impact in the centre of the box to give the Reds breathing space.
Liverpool are in the mood now - the first time they’ve been in the mood for what feels like an age.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:43 , Will Castle40 mins: CHANCE! Frankfurt look to respond quickly as a ball is played across to Bahoya, only be thwarted by a huge block from Bradley. A timely reminder that the hosts can still threaten.
There’s now a stoppage as Koch is treated for an ankle injury.
GOAL! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Liverpool (Van Dijk, 38')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:40 , Will CastleJUST LIKE THAT, LIVERPOOL LEAD!
With Liverpool sixth corner of the night already, Gakpo produces a perfect delivery that’s met by Van Dijk, who powers in his header.
No chance for Zetterer. What a turnaround.
GOAL! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Liverpool (Ekitike, 35')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:35 , Will CastleCALM AND COMPOSED FROM THE FORMER FRANKFURT MAN!
Eintracht look like they’re threatening to score down the other end, but as a low ball into the box is met by no-one, Robertson unleashes Ekitike with one pass to set the Frenchman one-on-one.
Against his ex-employers, Ekitike makes no mistake, opting not to celebrate. Liverpool are level!
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:33 , Will Castle33 mins: SAVE! Conor Bradley times his run perfectly around the back and heads into the ground towards goal, but it’s another superb stop by Zetterer!
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:32 , Will Castle32 mins: Appeals for a penalty as Ekitike’s touch ricochets off the arm of Koch, who was standing directly next to the Frenchman.
Nothing he could do about that and the referee waves it away.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:31 , Will Castle29 mins: Frankfurt hadn’t had an attack in Liverpool’s half for a while - but that goal has given the hosts a new wave of confidence.
A reminder that Liverpool have not lost five in a row since 1953.
GOAL! Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 Liverpool (Kristensen, 26')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:26 , Will CastleA GORGEOUS FRANKFURT MOVE - AND LIVERPOOL ARE BEHIND!
Frankfurt move it from their own corner flag to the opposition box in a sweeping pass-and-go move.
It’s played to former Leeds right-back Kristensen, who fires through Robertson’s legs and into the far corner.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:21 , Will Castle20 mins: With the game back underway, Liverpool work it wide to Gakpo, who whips in a delivery for Ekitike.
Zetterer comes out to claim it before the Frenchman can do any damage.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:20 , Will Castle19 mins: Bradley is stripped and ready. He replaces Frimpong, who limps off the field.
The Dutchman has already spent time on the sidelines since joining Liverpool - this looks to be his second injury problem.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:18 , Will Castle18 mins: This doesn’t look good for Liverpool.
Frimpong has just pulled up on the ball and goes down looking completely dejected.
He started limping off a challenge down the other end about a couple minutes ago - and it looks like a hamstring issue.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:16 , Will Castle15 mins: Liverpool enjoying their best spell of possession so far. When they’re attacking, it does very much look like Slot is operating a 4-2-4.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:13 , Will Castle13 mins: Absolutely electric atmosphere inside Deutsche Bank Park tonight. The whistles are deafening.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:12 , Will Castle12 mins: Brief stoppage in play while two Frankfurt players receive treatment after a clash.
Konate about to get things back underway.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:11 , Will Castle10 mins: SAVE! Another big stop from Zetterer to deny Isak, getting down low to deny the Swede at the near post.
Liverpool are growing into this one.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:10 , Will Castle9 mins: CHANCE! And up the other end, Liverpool have their first golden opportunity!
It’s a wonderful pass into Isak who takes it well, but Zetterer comes out to meet him like a flash and makes himself big to save.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:08 , Will Castle7 mins: SAVE! First clear-cut chance goes the way of Frankfurt as Bahoya breaks in behind - he drives low and forces a smart stop out of Mamardashvili.
The flag then goes up for offside, but replays show it was Jones who inadvertently played the Frankfurt winger through. Had that gone in, that would’ve counted.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:06 , Will Castle5 mins: It’s been all Frankfurt so far, with Konate required to clean up on two more occasions while under pressure.
Frankfurt have had 84 per cent of the ball so far.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:03 , Will Castle1 min: Frankfurt look to start quickly as they move down the right and win a corner.
Liverpool’s defending of set pieces has had something to be desired as of late - but they deal with this one.
KICK-OFF! Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:00 , Will CastleWe are underway in Frankfurt! It’s absolutely buzzing inside the stadium.
Here come the teams!
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:57 , Will CastleVirgil van Dijk leads out Liverpool, Robin Koch leads out Frankfurt.
Deutsche Bank Park is ready. This has the capacity for goals, goals, goals.
Closing in on kick-off
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:50 , Will CastleWe’re T-minus 10 minutes until kick off at Deutsche Bank Park!
With Liverpool on the verge of a low that hasn’t been reached in over 70 years, can Arne Slot’s side stop the rut? Or will Frankfurt be the fifth side to serve the Premier League champions defeat?
We’ll have all the action, up next. Don’t go anywhere!
Pre-match preparations
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:45 , Will Castle
Dominik Szoboszlai's rallying cry
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:40 , Will CastleLiverpool’s vulnerable position is uncharted territory for Dominik Szoboszlai, who said the players had discussions among themselves about how to turn around a season which began with seven successive wins.
“We have to stick together. We had a lot of meetings, we spoke with each other and the most important thing is we stay together when it is a hard time,” said the Hungary captain.
“This will turn. If you work hard and keep going the luck will go on your side.
“We have to take the three points for sure but most important we have to show the character we have, what Liverpool can do and what we are able to do.”
Arne Slot speaks on his Ekitike-Isak decision
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:38 , Will Castle"They can play together, they showed it against Manchester United - although that was in the second half,” he said. “It just means our midfield will be structured a little differently.
"What we need to try again today is create as much chances as we did the last few weeks. Then it is very helpful that we have two players in the team who can score a goal.”
Liverpool's bid to avoid making history
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:30 , Will CastleLiverpool are currently on a four-game losing streak:
- Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool
- Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
- Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
- Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United
Defeat tonight would be the first time they have lost five on the trot since 1953.
An unenviable record and a new low may just await Arne Slot’s side...
Jamie Carragher sounds warning over Florian Wirtz form
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:20 , Will CastleJamie Carragher has issued a warning to Florian Wirtz after the German’s inauspicious start to life in the Premier League by claiming that great players ‘hit the ground running’ when they arrive in England.
“How long do you give foreign players when they first come to the league? You don’t write the first year off but you say the second year they’ll improve and get better,” Carragher explained on Sky Sports following Liverpool’s loss to Man United.
“But, if I’m being honest, if I think of the great foreign signings - Sami Hyppia, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Suarez, Didi Hamann - they all hit the ground running.
“I can’t think of many, who had an average, poor start - I’m not talking seven games by the way but if you’re getting to Christmas and January and being like ‘oh’. History doesn’t tell me that foreign signings coming into England take a year.”
Why is Ryan Gravenberch not in the squad?
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:10 , Will CastleRyan Gravenberch was not included in the travelling squad for tonight’s Liverpool game due to an ankle injury.
"Yeah, I had to take him off during the weekend because he limped a little bit, as we could all see. So, unfortunately, he's not ready to play,” Arne Slot confirmed.
"Ryan is not available for the Frankfurt game, hopefully he will be available at the weekend. But it's an ankle injury, we have to wait and see, give him a bit of time and see where he is when we come back from Frankfurt."
Where's Mohamed Salah?
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:04 , Will CastleOn the bench, that’s where.
For the first time since he joined the club in 2017, Mohamed Salah hasn't been named in Liverpool's starting XI for two consecutive Champions League games.
Jamie Carragher’s wish has been granted.
Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz all start
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:57 , Will CastleDrastic times call for drastic measures - and in Liverpool’s case, those measures are worth £294m.
All three of Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz start together under Arne Slot for the first time, which begs the question - how will they set up?
I’ve got it as a 4-3-3, with Frimpong at the back, Wirtz behind Isak and Ekitike on the right - but it could well be a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-2-4, with Szboszlai at the back and Frimpong on the right.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS!
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:46 , Will CastleEintracht Frankfurt XI: Zetterer; Amenda, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Gotze, Larsson, Brown; Doan, Bahoya, Knauff.
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike, Isak, Gakpo.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐟 💫#SGELIV | #SGE | #UCL pic.twitter.com/SHHpNNXwX7
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) October 22, 2025
How the Reds line up to take on Eintracht Frankfurt 🔴 #UCL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 22, 2025
Back on familiar territory
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:44 , Will CastleHugo Ekitike is back on the soil he knows all too well - does he start for Liverpool tonight?
Team news expected soon...
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:40 , Will CastleWith team news just around the corner, here’s everything we know so far:
Frankfurt are without Oscar Hojlund after the midfielder sustained a thigh injury during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Freiburg. Jessic Ngankam and Nnamdi Collins are both injured and will not feature in the game.
Liverpool’s No.1 goalkeeper Alisson remains on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from injury meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili continues in goal. Wataru Endo is a doubt but may make the bench, while Ryan Gravenberch didn’t travel due to an ankle injury. Expect changes from the team that lost to Man Utd on Sunday with Hugo Ekitike in line to start.
The stage for tonight
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:40 , Will Castle
Why Liverpool are lost thanks to a £450m mess of their own making
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:30 , Richard JollyGo back a year and Liverpool were in the middle of a run of eight straight victories, near the start of a spell of 15 victories and one draw in 16. Arne Slot’s every decision seemed to pay off. He was prospering by not buying. He proved ideally suited to Jurgen Klopp’s players.
Twelve months on, the struggle is to adjust to his own. Winning without spending back then, he is losing after paying record sums now. Slot has gone from eight consecutive victories to four defeats in a row. It is uncharted territory: for him personally, and for Liverpool in the decade since Klopp’s appointment.
Slot’s honeymoon period included a demolition of Manchester United. His worst run so far culminated in an Anfield loss to them. Liverpool can sense a rapid shift in fortunes. “We are coming from a season where everything was unbelievable,” noted Virgil van Dijk. Now this stretches credibility. At the least, they have offered belated vindication for Klopp: he long railed against the notion that the transfer market was the answer to everything. Now Liverpool have spent £450m and, from having a team notable for their clarity of thought, seem caught in confusion.
Read more from Richard Jolly:
Why Liverpool are lost thanks to a £450m mess of their own making
Jamie Carragher calls for Arne Slot to bench Mo Salah
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:15 , Michael JonesThe inquest into Liverpool’s downturn in form continues with Jamie Carragher calling on manager Arne Slot to bench Mohamed Salah.
"I think we're at that stage now where Mo Salah shouldn't be a guaranteed starter every week," he told The Gary Neville Podcast. "I do think this is a real conundrum for the manager going forward."
In the Sky Sports studio after Sunday’s loss to Man United he reiterated his view saying: "I don't think Salah should be like a Virgil van Dijk where it's like 'first name on the teamsheet'.
"Liverpool have got two away games - in the Champions League at Frankfurt and then they go to Brentford. I don't think Salah should start both of those games.
"He should always start at Anfield because Liverpool will be on top, around the edge of the box and more often than not he scores in those situations.
"But I do think in the away games and helping your full-back, I don't think Salah should be starting every game right now, certainly away from home, with the form he's in."
Jurgen Klopp baffled by Liverpool’s £450m spending spree
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:00 , Will CastleJurgen Klopp has admitted that he was stunned by Liverpool’s summer spending spree that saw them splash out a staggering £450m on new players.
“I had no clue that this is possible,” he said. “Nobody ever told me that it’s possible that we can spend like that.
“My last year at Liverpool, we obviously (had) the Adidas deal, the new stadium, all these kind of things - they earn more money. But never ever I could have asked for that amount of money, but that’s not a problem. In that time it was not there, no problem at all.”
How Liverpool can solve their Alexander Isak-Hugo Ekitike conundrum
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:45 , Richard JollyLiverpool had become champions and Eintracht Frankfurt had qualified for the Champions League but thoughts soon shifted to what came next. Or who came next, anyway. Arne Slot spoke to Hugo Ekitike at the end of last season. The caller can’t have come as a surprise to the striker. Liverpool had been in contact with his camp since January. Liverpool were preparing for Darwin Nunez’s departure. Ekitike had seen his sidekick Omar Marmoush leave in the winter window. Frankfurt may have supplanted Borussia Dortmund as the Bundesliga’s experts in identifying, improving and profiting from talent. The guarantee is that they will sell, if the price is right.
Slot can be a persuasive salesman; or perhaps his club afforded him the best pitch. Manchester United made a late approach and Liverpool could enjoy taking one of their targets. Newcastle made a bid, before Liverpool swooped: their interpretation was that the Magpies only turned to Ekitike after missing out on Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, though Eddie Howe’s interest in the Frenchman dated back three years, to his first window in charge. Regardless, Ekitike preferred Liverpool. “This was the best choice,” he said three weeks ago. “The champions of England. They have great players and history. It just fitted for what I was looking for.” He joined in July for an initial £69m.
A first return to the Deutsche Bank Park could have had the makings of a triumphant affair. Ekitike scored four minutes into his Liverpool career. He struck in his first three games for the club; not since Daniel Sturridge had anyone done that for Liverpool. Blessed with pace, brimming with talent, he was an instant crowd favourite. And yet he may be back in Frankfurt as a bit-part player.
Richard Jolly writes ahead of Hugo Ekitike’s return to Frankfurt:
How Liverpool can solve their Alexander Isak-Hugo Ekitike conundrum
From furious hand gestures to a meek surrender: 90 minutes watching Diego Simeone
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:30 , Kieran JacksonBy the 89th minute, powerless in the face of a second-half blitz which had completely overpowered his team, Diego Simeone finally sat down. Briefly, it should be said. Trudging back five yards from the touchline to the dugout, eyes watering, the bombastic Atletico Madrid boss muttered all sorts of incomprehensible Spanish, drank a sip of water and quickly leapt back up, wiping his face in disbelief. He never leans back on his seat.
This is not how it began in the match against Arsenal on Tuesday night. Nor was it how it ended the previous time Simeone was on English shores; last month, after conceding a last-minute deciding goal at Anfield, Simeone confronted a group of goading Liverpool fans and had to be hauled back by security staff. Inevitably, he was sent off and received a one-game touchline ban in the Champions League.
Kieran Jackson analyses Diego Simeone in Atletico’s 4-0 defeat at Arsenal:
Furious referee protests and a meek surrender: 90 minutes watching Diego Simeone
Arne Slot vows plane problem will not stop Liverpool flying high in Frankfurt
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:15 , Will CastleLiverpool’s issues on the field were mirrored off it as a mechanical problem with the team’s plane meant they were unable to leave Merseyside on time for the Champions League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt. However, Slot insists it will not affect their preparations.
“No, it will not impact the build-up to tomorrow’s game,” he told UEFA.com.
“We have trained over here at the AXA. Normally we would have gone to Frankfurt a few hours earlier, now we are a few hours later.
“That can never be an excuse for the game tomorrow.”
Hugo Ekitike's Frankfurt 'homecoming'
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:00 , Will CastleDeutsche Bank Park will be familiar surroundings for one Liverpool player this evening.
Hugo Ekitike returns to his former club, having left Frankfurt in the summer for an initial fee of £69m. He bagged 26 goals and 14 assists across 64 games for Eintracht.
So far, the Frenchman is the only one of Liverpool’s big-money signings to look at all settled. Arne Slot will hope he can produce the goods again tonight and get the Reds out of this rut.
Liverpool's flight nightmare
Wednesday 22 October 2025 16:45 , Will CastleIt hasn’t been a great start to the week for Liverpool - and if you were wondering why we didn’t here from Arne Slot (and Dominik Szoboszlai) yesterday, this is why.
Liverpool’s flight to Germany ahead of their Champions League game against Eintracht Frankfurt was delayed by over three hours on Tuesday evening.
Slot and Szoboszlai’s press conference was cancelled 40 minutes before the scheduled start of 7:30pm local time, with the plane having not left the English tarmac at that point.
The squad landed in Germany just before Frankfurt’s airport closed at 11pm.
Liverpool’s flight to Frankfurt delayed because of ‘technical issues’ with plane
Predicted line-ups
Wednesday 22 October 2025 16:34 , Will CastleEintracht Frankfurt XI: Santos, Buta, Koch, Theate, Brown; Skhiri, Chaibi; Knauff Uzun, Doan; Durkardt
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
Liverpool team news
Wednesday 22 October 2025 16:33 , Will CastleLiverpool’s No.1 goalkeeper Alisson remains on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from injury meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili continues in goal.
Wataru Endo is a doubt but may make the bench, while Ryan Gravenberch did not travel.
Expect changes from the team that lost to Man Utd on Sunday with Hugo Ekitike, formerly of Frankfurt, in line to start.
Eintracht Frankfurt team news
Wednesday 22 October 2025 16:32 , Will CastleFrankfurt are without Oscar Hojlund after the midfielder sustained a thigh injury during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Freiburg.
Jessic Ngankam and Nnamdi Collins are both injured and will not feature in the game.
Is Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool on TV?
Wednesday 22 October 2025 16:31 , Will CastleLiverpool’s trip to Frankfurt in the Champions League kicks off at 8:00pm BST on Wednesday 22 October at Deutsche Bank Park in Germany.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match on TNT Sports 1 with coverage starting at 7pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the match online via Discovery+.
You can purchase a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool LIVE!
Wednesday 22 October 2025 16:30 , Will CastleGood afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Liverpool’s trip to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League!
Off the back of Anfield humiliation at the hands of Man United on Sunday, Arne Slot’s side are desperate to end their losing streak and get their season back on track.
They’ll hope to use the insider knowledge of striker Hugo Ekitike, who returns to his former club tonight.
We’ll have all the build-up, team news and minute-by-minute updates from the game, right here!
