Anfield finally had something to smile about again. After weeks of frustration, questions, and pain, Liverpool finally roared back to life with a stunning 5-1 Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany. It was a night filled with emotion, redemption, and a little worry too — because even as Liverpool’s attack finally looked alive, their new £125 million striker Alexander Isak was forced off at halftime with another groin injury. Manager Arne Slot later confirmed that it wasn’t a tactical change but a forced one — and once again, Isak’s fragile fitness cast a shadow on what should have been a perfect night for the Reds.
The build-up to this match was tense. Liverpool had lost four consecutive games across competitions, a run that shook confidence in Slot’s new project. The Dutchman, who replaced Jurgen Klopp just months earlier, was under heavy pressure to prove that his style could bring success at a club used to emotion, energy, and relentlessness. Frankfurt was supposed to be a dangerous opponent, but what unfolded under the German night sky was Liverpool’s most convincing performance in weeks — five goals, flowing football, and the sight of key players smiling again. Yet, amid the celebration, one image stood out: Alexander Isak walking gingerly off the pitch, head down, as Federico Chiesa came on to replace him.
Arne Slot confirmed after the match that Isak’s substitution was not precautionary — it was necessary. “Alexander had to go off at half-time because he felt his groin a little bit. That’s a pity,” the Liverpool boss told TNT Sports. “It’s such a difficult balance to find with a player that missed three months. You want to push, but you also want to protect him.” The striker’s injury history is no secret. Groin problems have haunted him for the past two seasons. Even during his impressive spell at Newcastle last year, where he scored 18 goals in 19 Premier League matches between October and February, he was never completely free from the discomfort. The issue forced him to miss crucial games, including Newcastle’s trips to Anfield and the Emirates, and even when he played, he often came off before the 80th minute.
Eddie Howe, his former manager, had once spoken about this very same problem. “It’s not something that needs surgery,” Howe had said months ago. “It’s something we need to understand — why he keeps feeling it. We’ll look at strengthening that area.” Liverpool’s medical team knew about these issues before the transfer. Yet, when Slot saw Isak available, he pushed the club to break their transfer record. He saw something special — a tall, elegant striker who could mix grace with power, someone who could carry Liverpool’s next attacking generation. But now, just a few weeks into his Liverpool career, that same groin issue has returned, right at the time when he was supposed to be the hero.
“We’ve played him twice in three days,” Slot explained after the game. “You go slowly with him, and people argue about playing him longer. But when you’re Liverpool, you play every three days. Unfortunately, he had to go off.” The tone of his voice showed the frustration of a manager trying to manage expectations and player health at the same time. Slot later admitted that if the injury keeps Isak out for a few weeks, it could set him back once again in his rhythm and confidence — something he’s been struggling with since his move from Newcastle.
The night, however, wasn’t all about pain. There was joy — plenty of it. Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool’s young summer signing from Frankfurt, scored the opener against his former club. It was a poetic moment — the striker who once wore Frankfurt’s black and white now stood in front of their fans wearing Liverpool red. Yet, in a show of class, he didn’t celebrate. “It was something special for me,” he said afterward. “I know everybody here. I have so much respect for this club. They made me the player I am today. I wouldn’t be here without Frankfurt.” His humility was touching, and so was his performance. His movement, energy, and link-up with Isak and Chiesa later in the match showed glimpses of Liverpool’s future — one filled with pace and unpredictability.
Alongside Ekitike, another name that stood tall in Germany was Virgil van Dijk. The captain, who had been under scrutiny for Liverpool’s recent poor run, scored the second goal — a towering header that reminded everyone of the leader he’s always been. After the match, Van Dijk refused to call the win a “statement,” but his words carried calm authority. “It’s a win, something to build on,” he said. “We were disappointed with losing games. It’s not something that happens often at Liverpool, losing four in a row. But as a group, you have to stick together, block the outside noise, and keep working. That’s what we did tonight.”
Van Dijk’s words summed up the mood. This wasn’t about silencing critics or proving a point; it was about finding belief again. For Arne Slot, it was also about proving that his ideas could translate into results. His tactical tweaks were visible — Liverpool pressed as a unit again, the midfield was compact, and the forwards interchanged positions beautifully. The 5-1 scoreline wasn’t a fluke; it was a reflection of controlled aggression and restored confidence.
Ibrahima Konaté, another defender who had faced criticism recently, also got on the scoresheet, powering in Liverpool’s third goal. The Frenchman’s celebration — a wide grin and a fist pump toward the bench — showed relief more than joy. Liverpool had been conceding from set pieces in previous defeats, but this time, they scored from two. “That was the difference,” Slot said. “In our last games, we were punished from set pieces. Today, we punished them.”
Yet, even on a good night, injuries continued to chase Liverpool. Jeremie Frimpong, the dynamic right-back signed from Bayer Leverkusen, also limped off in the first half with a hamstring injury. Slot confirmed that he would be out for “a few weeks.” It was another frustrating blow for a team that has struggled to keep its new signings fit. “We’ve been unfortunate,” Slot admitted. “Normally you prepare players for once-a-week football, but this is Liverpool — we play every three days. It’s demanding.”
For Liverpool fans watching from home and those who made the trip to Frankfurt, the night felt like a breath of fresh air. The team finally looked alive, the passing sharp, the hunger visible again. Ekitike’s movement, Chiesa’s energy, Van Dijk’s leadership — it all blended perfectly. The goals kept coming. By the time the fifth one hit the back of the net, even Slot allowed himself a rare smile on the touchline. He knew how much his players needed this.
After the match, Ekitike’s words captured the emotional undercurrent of the night. “I had to score,” he said softly. “It felt like home. But I also had to be respectful. Frankfurt gave me everything. They believed in me when I was just a kid. I will always be thankful.” His maturity at such a young age impressed many Liverpool fans. And with that goal, he announced himself as a real contender for a starting spot in Slot’s evolving front line.
Meanwhile, analysts back in England began dissecting Alexander Isak’s struggles. On Sky Sports’ “Back Pages Tonight,” journalist Craig Hope claimed that Isak’s issue was “more than fitness.” According to Hope, the Swedish striker had “lost his belief and instinct as a forward.” It’s a bold statement, but one that reflects the growing concern around his form. At Newcastle, Isak looked unstoppable — full of confidence, calm in front of goal. But since arriving at Liverpool, that spark hasn’t been the same. Maybe it’s pressure. Maybe it’s the injury fear lingering in his mind. Or maybe he simply needs time.
Arne Slot certainly believes time is key. “He’s a top player,” he said. “He was close to scoring tonight before he went off. But at this level, the margins are small. You have to be at 100 percent physically and mentally. We’ll wait and see how he reacts, but I hope it’s not too serious.”
In the dressing room after the game, there was a sense of unity that had been missing in recent weeks. Van Dijk, still in his captain’s armband, walked around congratulating younger players. Alisson Becker shared a long hug with Ekitike. Chiesa, who replaced Isak, joked with Dominik Szoboszlai about his assist. The smiles were back. Even Arne Slot, known for his calm demeanor, couldn’t hide his satisfaction.
For Liverpool supporters, this was more than just three points — it was a sign that their team still had fight, pride, and ambition. The heavy defeats had sparked doubts about Slot’s ability to replace Klopp, but this performance reminded everyone that rebuilding takes time, and sometimes, pain is part of progress.
As the night settled in Frankfurt, the travelling fans sang long after the final whistle. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” echoed around the stadium, mixing with the cold German air. It wasn’t just a song — it was a declaration that Liverpool was still alive, still fighting, still believing.
The final 5-1 scoreline looked ruthless, but it was also poetic. It was as if Liverpool poured out all the frustration of the past four losses into one performance. Every pass, every tackle, every run carried purpose. For Arne Slot, it was the performance he had been waiting for — the moment his ideas finally clicked. But for Alexander Isak, the night ended in uncertainty once again. Another groin injury, another period of waiting, another challenge to overcome.
Slot summed it up perfectly: “It’s not easy when a player has been out for so long. But we have to hope for the best. He’s important for us. The goals will come, and the belief will come.”
Liverpool now turn their attention to Brentford in the Premier League. The task is simple — build on this, keep the rhythm, and protect the fragile confidence that has finally returned. The team knows how quickly momentum can vanish. But for now, they can breathe. They can smile. They can believe again.
From Ekitike’s emotional return to Frankfurt, to Van Dijk’s captain’s goal, to Slot’s tactical redemption — this was Liverpool’s night. And though Isak’s injury cast a shadow, the light of victory burned brighter. After all, sometimes, a storm has to come before the calm. And on that cold October night in Frankfurt, Liverpool finally found their calm again
