Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool

Two historic European clubs aiming to bounce back from Matchday 2 defeats face off in Frankfurt as Eintracht Frankfurt welcome Liverpool in what promises to be a fiery Group Stage clash. Both sides were humbled last time out — Frankfurt’s 1-5 loss at Atlético Madrid and Liverpool’s 0-1 defeat at Galatasaray — leaving them eager to rediscover momentum in their Champions League campaigns. This will be the first competitive meeting between the sides in over 50 years. Their only previous encounters came in the 1972/73 UEFA Cup first round, when Liverpool triumphed 2–0 at Anfield — thanks to goals from Kevin Keegan and Emlyn Hughes — before a goalless draw in Germany saw them progress en route to winning the trophy. Frankfurt’s recent record against Premier League opposition is mixed. They are winless in their last four meetings (D2 L2), including elimination to Tottenham in last season’s Europa League quarter-finals. At home, however, the German side have been formidable in Europe, winning five of their last six home matches (L1) and losing only once in their last ten group-stage or league-phase fixtures (W7 D2). They have also scored in all but one of their last 67 European games, showcasing their consistent attacking presence. Still, they’ll need to tighten up defensively after conceding six goals across their first two matches this season. Jonathan Burkardt could lead the line when Frankfurt appears with the 4—2—3—1 formation.

After a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, Liverpool’s trip to Germany offers a chance to reassert control. The Reds boast an unbeaten run of 14 matches against German opposition (W11 D3) since 2002, winning eight of the last nine. Their last visit ended in a 4–0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 4 last season — their fourth consecutive clean sheet against Bundesliga clubs. However, Slot’s men have lost their last two away games in the Champions League, a rare dip for a side that has otherwise won 13 of their last 15 group-stage fixtures (L2). There will be added intrigue surrounding Hugo Ekitiké, who swapped Frankfurt for Liverpool this summer after scoring 26 goals in 64 appearances across two seasons for the German side. His return could define the narrative, while Mohamed Salah, sitting on 48 Champions League goals, is just two shy of becoming the first African player to reach 50 in the competition. Slot will be hoping his side puts an end to a four-game losing run [WLLLL] across all competitions when the Reds appear with the 4—2—3—1 formation, having Hugo Ekitike in attack.