Hugo Ekitike, right, scored his first goal in the Champions League
Arne Slot, the Liverpool boss, made a series of bold decisions for Wednesday’s Champions League match, particularly given the team’s recent run of four consecutive losses.
Seeking a turnaround in form and a crucial win, Slot opted to bench Mohamed Salah against Eintracht Frankfurt and experimented with a tactical shift.
A key element of this change was the decision to field British record signing Alexander Isak alongside the in-form Hugo Ekitike for the first time.
These gambles paid off handsomely as Liverpool decisively defeated their German opponents 5-1, with Ekitike scoring against his former club, whom he departed this summer to join the Merseyside team.
However, the victory came at a price, as Isak was withdrawn at halftime due to a groin injury.
“He had to go off at half-time because he felt his groin a little bit,” Slot told TNT Sports post-match.
“It is a pity, but finding the right balance with a player who has been out for three months is challenging.
“You gradually reintroduce them, and while some might argue against playing him too much or for too long, we played him for the second time in three days, and unfortunately, he had to come off.
“We remain hopeful.”
Ekitike scores as Liverpool end losing run in style
This video can not be played
Liverpool come from behind to beat Frankfurt in five-star performance
The primary point of discussion following the team announcements was how Liverpool would integrate Ekitike and Isak into the starting lineup.
Slot had previously preferred to rotate the two, but this marked the first occasion for Liverpool fans to witness them playing together from the start.
So, how exactly did the Reds line up?
Umir Irfan, BBC Sport’s football tactics correspondent, provides analysis:
“Slot altered his approach against Frankfurt, and ultimately, it proved successful.
“Throughout the match, Liverpool adopted a 4-4-2 formation out of possession, a common tactic for his teams, with Florian Wirtz defending as a right midfielder.
“In possession, they transitioned into a fluid 3-2-5 shape. Cody Gakpo and first Jeremie Frimpong, then Conor Bradley, maintained width on the left and right flanks, respectively.
“Isak operated inside, slightly towards the left, Wirtz positioned inside towards the right, and Ekitike played centrally, with the three rotating positions.
“Defensively, Liverpool still appeared vulnerable at times, and the more attacking midfield trio, coupled with Slot’s rotation-heavy approach, left gaps in the middle.
“However, in possession, the performance was filled with promising displays and emerging partnerships that may shape Slot’s approach to revitalizing Liverpool, potentially at the expense of some established players.”
Initially, Liverpool struggled with the system, and their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed when Eintracht Frankfurt executed a sweeping counter-attack for the opening goal.
Liverpool have now conceded 18 goals in 13 games this season, compared to seven at the same stage last term, and Frankfurt’s goal meant the Reds have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight matches.
However, they grew into the game and the system, with their high-pressing football particularly effective in the second half.
Crucially, they capitalized on their opportunities, with five different players finding the net.
“I think this might be a long-term system for Slot, but time will tell on that,” former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock told BBC Sport.
He added: “There are always going to be little flaws in a new system, it’s not going to be flawless straight away.
“Away from home as well, it is difficult to adapt at the start of a game, but they soon took control and were comfortable in the way they played.
“I actually thought Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones were brilliant in the game, on the ball and when Liverpool came forward, but it is just about understanding your defensive responsibilities as well.
“They learnt as the game went on. Sometimes you get in old habits where you go and press, or leave your position and think you can make a run, but you don’t have to because that is not your job for the night… and sometimes it is just a case of being told again that that’s your position, and hold where you are.”
While the Isak-Ekitike partnership lasted just 45 minutes, some observers are encouraged by the potential for them to play together more often.
“I like it,” former Manchester United striker Andy Cole told BBC Sport. “They are both of a good age, bought for the future.
“I can see them playing as a two, because if they do they it will ultimately cause chaos. They both have the pace, ability and are prepared to take players on.”
Ekitike’s goal against Frankfurt was his sixth for the Reds, and the striker appears to have adapted the best of all Liverpool’s summer signings.
“I thought Ekitike was the best player,” former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said on TNT Sports.
“He has to be a guaranteed starter now. He is everywhere now. He is a pure player, a beautiful football player.”
Mohamed Salah has scored three goals in all competitions this season
Salah has scored 52 goals in the Champions League, a figure made all the more impressive by the fact that the rest of the Liverpool squad combined have 31 in the competition.
Therefore, not starting him when needing a win was certainly a brave move by Slot, even though he had also named him on the bench for Liverpool’s previous European outing against Galatasaray.
For a player who scored 29 Premier League goals last season, Salah has been far from his best this term, with just two league goals in eight games so far.
His dip in form is clearly affecting him, as the Egypt international seemed desperate to score after coming on in Frankfurt for the final 16 minutes, shooting from a difficult angle when a pass to Florian Wirtz would have been a better option, and also shooting well over the bar.
“The season he had last season was one of the best I’d seen,” Hargreaves said.
“I think to make him a little angrier to push him is not a bad thing. They also have options now.”
Warnock added: “Salah has not been firing on all cylinders, but then they showed against Eintracht Frankfurt they can do it without him.
“Obviously we have got Afcon coming up in December so this was a glimpse of how they are going to do without him.
“If the system works, it is going to be difficult to put Salah back in before then too, but Isak’s injury could be a get out of jail card for him there.”
With Isak potentially sidelined, Salah will likely have the chance to prove he remains the Reds’ main man as Liverpool look to build on this win when they face Brentford on Saturday.
Follow your club with BBC Sport
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Get football news sent straight to your phone
Comments can not be loaded
To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser