Liverpool snapped their four-match losing streak by thumping Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 away from home in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Premier League champions actually went 1-0 down for the fifth successive match to Rasmus Kristensen’s strike that went in off the post in the 26th minute. But by minute 44, Liverpool led 3-1 in Germany. Hugo Ekitike drew the Reds level against his old club by capping off a counter-attack with a composed finish.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate headers, both from corners, then put the away team in complete control. In the second half, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai’s goals ensured that Arne Slot’s men bounced back from a torrid run of form in emphatic style. Express Sport rates and slates the Liverpool players…
Liverpool player ratings vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 6
Good early save from Jean-Matteo Bahoya but then couldn’t get close to Kristensen’s strike. Had next to nothing to do after that.
Jeremie Frimpong – 5
The stuttering start to his Liverpool career has hit another roadblock with a new muscle injury that forced him off 19 minutes in.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Having wasted multiple headed chances this season, powered in his first goal of the season from a corner to make it 3-1. Defended well before being brought off early for rest.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Headed Liverpool in front with a brilliant header and more assured than his unusually rocky display versus Manchester United.
Andy Robertson – 6
Should have blocked the Kristensen shot but a sublime first-time pass to release Ekitike to make it 1-1 and some better deliveries than left-back rival Milos Kerkez.
Curtis Jones – 7
Neat and tidy on the ball and helped give Liverpool the kind of midfield control they’ve desperately lacked of late. Should get a run of starts now.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 9
Was absolutely everywhere on and off the ball and is Liverpool’s MVP right now. Perhaps out of position for the Frankfurt goal but gets the assist for the Konate header. Intercepted possession and perfectly slipped through Wirtz to set up Gakpo’s goal before making it 5-1 with a pinpoint low shot from distance.
Florian Wirtz – 8
Lost the ball too meekly in the build-up to the Frankfurt goal but responded, helping to force the corner for Konate’s header with his pressing. Got a long-awaited assist with a clever run and cross to Gakpo after setting up chances which Federico Chiesa and Szoboszlai failed to convert. Then got a second assist after teeing up Szoboszlai for his strike.
Hugo Ekitike – 7
Sensational run and finish to equalise with his sixth goal in 12 Liverpool appearances. Some sharp touches outside of that before being withdrawn early. Just too good to be starting games on the bench at the moment.
Alexander Isak – 5
Had a big chance to make it 1-0 inside 10 minutes then forced a save at the near post. Otherwise pretty quiet and brought off at half-time. Not yet making a case that he absolutely has to start games.
Cody Gakpo – 8
Scored in a third successive match and also came away with an assist after his brilliant corner delivery for the Van Dijk header. Also created chances for Bradley and Ekitike. A solid performance from the Dutchman.
Substitutes
Conor Bradley (Frimpong 19) – 7
An early introduction after Frimpong’s injury. Had a header well saved then managed a great block to deny Behoya. Had a shot pushed on to the post second half. The kind of showing he needed for his confidence.
Federico Chiesa (Isak 46) – 6
Got a well-deserved 45 minutes and almost scored an acrobatic effort at a corner. Worked hard off the ball.
Mohamed Salah (Ekitike 74) – 6
Surprisingly dropped from the starting XI. Looked sharper and had a few shots but should have squared for Wirtz to tap in.
Alexis Mac Allister (Gakpo 74) – 6
Like Salah, dropped to the bench after poor form of late. Game had died down by the time he came on.
Joe Gomez (Konate 75) – 6
Some much-needed minutes in the legs.