David Lynch’s Four Key Takeaways as Liverpool Smash Eintracht Frankfurt | OneFootball

Four Key Lessons as Liverpool Smash Frankfurt 5-1

After a bruising run of four consecutive defeats, Arne Slot’s Liverpool finally looked themselves again in Germany. Falling behind early could have deepened the crisis, but instead, the Reds responded with authority. Goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai sealed a convincing 5-1 victory over Frankfurt, restoring belief and momentum. Journalist David Lynch pinpointed four major takeaways from the performance, each offering clues about where this Liverpool team might be heading next.

1. Rediscovering Control and Confidence

“It was a big win for Liverpool because it felt like they needed a good result. They didn’t just get a result, they got a big 5-1 win and a performance that gives you hope for the times ahead. This was a really good performance. If you look at the underlying numbers, Liverpool were absolutely dominant.”

It felt like a statement night. Lynch noted that Frankfurt’s poor form could not fully explain Liverpool’s dominance, pointing instead to the clarity and intensity that had been missing. “You’ve got to acknowledge that Frankfurt are in poor form at the moment, but they’ve also scored a lot of goals and have been dangerous. The most encouraging aspect is that they scored all of the goals but also managed Frankfurt’s threat throughout.”

For Slot, who watched his team concede cheap goals across recent fixtures, this was about structure as much as swagger. Liverpool controlled transitions, pressed in unison and finally looked composed in both boxes.

2. Formation Shift Pays Off

“The big talking point is the formation change. It was a big change to go to that 4-4-2. Did it work? I mean, a 5-1 win suggests yes and the stats suggest that it worked too. They had control throughout it and you’ve got to say that this will be an option for Arne Slot because he now has Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.”

Slot’s tactical adjustment breathed fresh life into the side. The 4-4-2 allowed Liverpool to press higher with compact lines, reducing the space between midfield and defence. It also gave Ekitike a clear role alongside Gakpo, with both strikers working in tandem rather than in isolation. That balance brought rhythm back into Liverpool’s attack, a reminder that tactical flexibility can be a strength when applied decisively.

3. Curtis Jones Proves His Point

“I’ve been banging the drum about getting Curtis Jones into the team and I think he absolutely made the side better tonight. He completed 122 of his 127 passes tonight with a 96% completion rate, he won four duels and two tackles. Progression has been a big issue for Liverpool, but tonight he made 18 passes into the final third tonight. Szoboszlai completed 17 into the final third. They were doing everything you wanted your central midfielders to do. They offered progression, work-rate and quality in the final third.”

Lynch’s praise was fully warranted. Jones brought tempo and security, dictating play with composure and intelligence. Alongside Szoboszlai, he connected midfield to attack in a way Liverpool had sorely missed during their losing streak. It was a display that underlined his importance in Slot’s evolving system.

4. Ekitike Stakes His Claim

“I don’t see at the moment how you can put Alexander Isak in the side over Hugo Ekitike. I don’t doubt that Isak will score a lot of goals for Liverpool, but at the moment, you’ve got to start thinking about getting results immediately. You’ve got to give Ekitike what he deserves and he is demanding starts with his performances at the moment.”

Ekitike’s energy, positioning and composure in front of goal gave Liverpool’s attack a sharper edge. Lynch’s view echoed the sentiment of many supporters: form must dictate selection. With Isak adapting to Slot’s system, Ekitike’s hunger and confidence could keep him leading the line for the foreseeable future.

Liverpool’s performance in Frankfurt felt like a reset. It was dominant, structured and expressive, the type of display that champions produce after adversity. Slot’s decision-making, Jones’s influence and Ekitike’s emergence suggest Liverpool may have found their spark again just when it mattered most.