Alexander Isak’s promising return was cut short as Liverpool thumped Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in a Champions League night that ended a four-game losing skid but left a fresh injury worry for Arne Slot’s side.
Early exit for Isak
Isak, paired up front with Hugo Ekitike, started brightly but was hooked at half-time and replaced by Federico Chiesa. Slot confirmed the reason after the game: a groin problem that forced the striker off at the interval.
The manager described the dilemma of managing a player coming back from a long layoff and admitted the balance between minutes and recovery is delicate. Slot hoped the issue won’t be severe but warned that if Isak needs weeks out it would be a setback for his comeback rhythm.
Slot on rotation and recovery
Slot defended the decision to risk heavy rotation during a packed schedule, explaining Liverpool’s unusual fixture congestion meant players have been asked to play more frequently than ideal.
He praised the attacking gamble of starting Isak and Ekitike together, saying both are reliable goal threats and the pairing helped unlock a dominant win despite the forced early change.
Ekitike’s return to Germany and reaction
Hugo Ekitike celebrated a homecoming with composure, scoring and underlining his gratitude to Frankfurt — the club that helped shape him. Ekitike refused to over-celebrate, calling his goal a special moment and paying respect to the club where he honed his craft.
Van Dijk: small victory, bigger work to do
Virgil van Dijk, who also netted, framed the result soberly: not a grand statement, but a necessary three points and a platform to rebuild momentum.
He urged unity, focus and hard work as Liverpool prepares to recover and refocus on the Premier League test at Brentford.
Squad blows amid jubilation
The night’s positives were tempered further when right-back Jeremie Frimpong limped out with a hamstring injury and was ruled out for a few weeks, replaced by Conor Bradley.
Slot acknowledged the season’s physical toll but took solace from a performance that created chances, rewarded clinical finishing, and — for now — ended a worrying run of form.
Looking ahead
Liverpool leave Frankfurt with confidence restored and questions over Isak’s fitness to settle.
The immediate goal is recovery and reassessment before the busy schedule continues; if Isak’s groin clears quickly, the City rivals will welcome back a versatile, high-impact forward — if not, Slot will need to adapt again as Liverpool chase consistency.
