Salah was withdrawn as Liverpool switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Wirtz playing right midfield, leading to a 5-1 victory over Frankfurt that ended their four-match losing streak.

At 3 a.m. Beijing time on October 23, during the third round of the Champions League group stage, Liverpool, coming off four straight defeats in all competitions, played away against Frankfurt.

In the first half, Frimpong left the field injured, Wirtz’s interception led to a goal conceded, Ekitić scored against his former team, then Van Dijk and Konaté, two central defenders, scored from corners to put Liverpool ahead 3-1 at halftime; in the second half, Wirtz assisted Gakpo and Szoboszlai to score.

In the end, Liverpool swept Frankfurt 5-1 away from home, decisively ending their four-match losing streak across all competitions.

In the Frankfurt vs. Liverpool match, Topmöller deployed a 3-4-3 formation, with Japanese international Doan Ritsu starting, whose market value was €207 million; Slot decisivelyswitched to a 4-4-2, withdrew Salah, paired Ekitić and Isak as the two forwards, placed Gakpo and Wirtz as wide midfielders, had Jones and Szoboszlai in central midfield, and formed a back four with Robertson, Van Dijk, Konaté, and Frimpong, with Mamardashvili in goal; the starting lineup’s total market value was €721 million..

Facing the challenge of four consecutive defeats, Slot showed courage by dropping the out-of-form Salah from the starting eleven and shifting to a 4-4-2 system, trying a front two with Ekitić and Isak for the first time, while positioning Wirtz at right midfield. The change paid off with a big win: Ekitić scored against his former club, both central defenders scored, Gakpo and Szoboszlai contributed goals and assists, and Wirtz provided two assists. Liverpool’s 5-1 away victory over Frankfurt ended their losing streak. Slot must ensure the best-performing players start, and even top earners like Salah (earning £400,000 weekly) must compete for their place to foster healthy competition, overcome the slump, and return to title contention.

Throughout the match, Liverpool maintained 65% possession, took 18 shots with 14 on target; Frankfurt had 4 shots with only 1 on target.