Eintracht Frankfurt will host Liverpool at the Deutsche Bank Park on Wednesday, looking to bounce back from the loss to Atletico Madrid in their last Champions League outing.
Eintracht Frankfurt are in disastrous form right now with three defeats and a draw from the last five matches in all competitions ahead of the game vs Liverpool. The Eagles have conceded 18 goals in their last five matches, and they will need to raise their performance levels in order to get the job done.
Meanwhile, Dino Toppmoller’s charges are up against a struggling Liverpool team, who are on a four-match losing streak. The Reds are completely devoid of form and confidence. This is a golden opportunity for the German club to bounce back strongly at home.
It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can raise their performance levels and take advantage of Eintracht Frankfurt’s vulnerability and get the job done here. Both teams are in desperate need of a win, and this will be a cracking contest. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Eintracht Frankfurt
Elias Baum, Nnamdi Collins, and Jessic Ngankam miss out for the hosts. Eintracht Frankfurt are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Liverpool, with Michael Zetterer in goal.
Aurelio Buta and Nathaniel Brown will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight defensively and hit Liverpool on the break. Robin Koch will start alongside Arthur Theate at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Ellyes Skhiri and Fares Chaibi will pair up in the double pivot in the middle of the park, and the duo will look to add defensive cover and control to the side.
Ritsu Doan and Ansgar Knauff will start in the wide areas. They will look to add creativity, flair and pace to the side. Can Uzun will start in the hole, and he will look to add goals and creativity to the side. Finally, Jonathan Burkardt will spearhead the Eintracht Frankfurt attack vs Liverpool on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Zetterer; Buta, Koch, Theate, Brown; Skhiri, Chaibi; Knauff, Uzun, Doan; Burkardt
Liverpool
Arne Slot will be without Giovanni Leoni (knee) and Alisson Becker (hamstrin) due to their fitness issues. Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Eintracht Frankfurt, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal.
Jeremie Frimpong and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Ibrahima Konate will form the central defensive partnership alongside Virgil van Dijk.
As for the midfield unit, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai could be given a start in the double pivot. Ryan Gravenberch is struggling with his fitness.
Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will start on the flanks here. They will look to add goals and creativity from the wide areas. Florian Wirtz will look to open up opportunities for his teammates in the number ten role. Hugo Ekitike is likely to be handed a start here ahead of Alexander Isak.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvilli, Frimpong, van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Key Stats
- Eintracht Frankfurt have failed to win four of their last six matches across all competitions.
- Liverpool have failed to win four of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Eintracht Frankfurt have conceded 19 goals in the last six matches.
- Liverpool have conceded in each of their last six matches.
- Arne Slot has lost (5) more games than he has won (4) away from home in the UEFA Champions League (nine matches in total), compared to seven victories in nine home games (L2) as a manager in the competition.
Player to Watch
Hugo Ekitike
The French striker did not start against Manchester United in the last match, and he is likely to be handed a start here. Ekitike has been Liverpool’s best signing this summer, and he is in impressive form. He will look to make his mark against his former team in the UEFA Champions League.
The Frenchman knows Eintracht Frankfurt well, and he will look to exploit their vulnerability. Ekitike has impressed with his goalscoring ability, link-up and creativity. He could make a defining impact for Liverpool in the final third. They will need him to step up and produce a strong performance here..
Prediction
Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Liverpool
Both teams are in disappointing form, and this will be a close contest. Neither side are solid defensively, and there will be plenty of opportunities on offer. Both teams are likely to get on the score sheet, and this will be a high-scoring contest.
However, it will be difficult to separate the two teams on current form. They could end up cancelling each other out. They are likely to share the spoils in a high-scoring draw. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 stalemate for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool.
