All the latest news from Anfield as Arne Slot is slammed for his comments after Liverpool thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League this week
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14:Arne Slot manager of Liverpool arrives before the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor on September 14, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Arne Slot saw his Liverpool side get back on track against Eintracht Frankfurt
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Liverpool appear to have bounced back from their recent dip in form with a resounding victory in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Florian Wirtz shone as he provided two assists in the Reds' commanding 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt.
The former Bayer Leverkusen star has been under immense scrutiny following his £116million summer transfer but turned in a strong second half showing to help seal the much-needed win.
Goals from ex-Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitke, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai enabled Liverpool manager Arne Slot to secure his first win in four games and steer the Reds clear of a potential crisis.
Following defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Galatasaray in the Champions League, and Manchester United, Liverpool seem to have regained some form ahead of their Premier League clash with Brentford on Saturday night.
The aftermath of their impressive result in Germany is still unfolding. From Richard Keys criticising Slot, Wirtz receiving support from Jamie Carragher, and United legend Andy Cole commenting on Liverpool's striking options, The ECHOprovides a glimpse at some of the latest news from Anfield.
Andy Cole claims Liverpool can unleash 'chaos'
Whilst Alexander Isak's difficulties persist, former United striker Andy Cole disclosed he was impressed by Ekitike's performance against Frankfurt.
Both forwards, who joined in the summer for an initial combined £194million, featured in a front three in Germany. However, it was the French attacker who captured attention, with Isak enduring a quiet evening before being substituted with a groin problem, reports the Mirror.
Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak started together in the Champions League(Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
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Nevertheless, Cole believes that pairing can function as a front two, with the duo expected to unleash "chaos" on the rest of the Premier League. "I do [like Ekitike and Isak]," Cole said on Match of the Day.
"They're both of good age, we were just speaking there, they've bought for the future, and I can see them playing as a two.
"Because if they do play as a two, ultimately, they're going to cause chaos, a lot of chaos because they've both got pace, they've both got ability and they're both prepared to take players on.
"And if you look at Ekitike's goals then, what I loved about it, his first through was, 'I'm running forward,' and we don't see that a lot in the modern day game where centre-forwards want to run in behind."
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Richard Keys slams Slot
Former Sky Sports presenter Keys has criticised Slot for the Dutchman's remarks following the Frankfurt victory. The beIN SPORTS host was disapproving of Slot's assertion that his side benefitted from Frankfurt's ball-on-the-floor approach to the match.
On X, he wrote: "What a daft thing to say. Now everybody knows how to beat Liverpool - long balls. They don't fancy a scrap."
Richard Keys speaks
Richard Keys has criticised Arne Slot(Image: 2010 Getty Images)
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Following the game, Slot said: "We needed a win. What we needed more was another performance where we create a lot of chances but the players get the reward with a win. That's what happened.
"I saw a lot of similarities compared to the other games because the first chance they got was a goal, maybe it was the only chance they had. And we went 3-1 up, and it's maybe easier to control a game when you're 3-1 up than if you are 1-0 or 2-1 down.
"But the main difference between this game and the four before was that in most of them, the other team scored from a set piece and this time, we scored from two set-pieces.
"Then people focused more on the attacks we had in the second half rather than the misplaced passes, which we probably had as well. But when you're 3-1 up, you are judged differently."
After Liverpool's 2-1 loss to United on Sunday, Slot had admitted the Reds struggled to cope with Ruben Amorim's approach due to their deployment of a defensive block and direct passing.
Wirtz gets Carragher backing
German star Wirtz has received support from Jamie Carragher after his brilliant display against Frankfurt. "I'm really pleased for this man," the Liverpool icon said.
"Didn't get on the scoresheet, but he's got a couple of assists - that's what he's been brought into the club for." However, Wirtz could have found himself with a goal to add to his two assists.
A clever free-kick was pushed over the crossbar by Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer. Wirtz also appeared to have a golden opportunity to mark his Liverpool debut with a goal, only for Mohamed Salah to choose to shoot rather than square the ball after the Egyptian was brought into the game during the second period.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool runs with the ball from Arthur Theate of Eintracht Frankfurt during the UEFA Champions League
Wirtz notched up two assists for Liverpool(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
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Salah was evidently eager to make an instant impression and found himself through on goal down the right wing as he shaped his body for an effort, only for Zetterer to pull off the stop. Wirtz then looked visibly frustrated as he demonstrated his annoyance at his colleague by raising his arms skyward.
The incident didn't escape Carragher's attention, who believed Wirtz had every right to feel aggrieved as he said: "What he was brought in to do was to create goals and score goals. The only disappointment was that he didn't score tonight – and he should have if Mo Salah had passed to him at the end of the game."
Following the match, Wirtz expressed his satisfaction with his display, whilst insisting he had more to offer. He said: "I tried to get into better spaces during the second half.
"I know that I can do much, much more. I think the second half was really good, and from everyone else too. So I'm satisfied that we've won today and that I finally have a goal involvement."
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