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Back to that run of five consecutive defeats in 1953. There are some similarities to Liverpool’s current sticky patch: the concession of last-minute winners (Palace’s Eddie Nketiah and Chelsea’s Estêvão now, Peter Broadbent for Wolves back then); unlucky woodwork-based shenanigans (Cody Gakpo hitting the frame three times against United, Tottenham’s Charlie Withers heading against his own post); the opposition scoring worldies (Moisés Caicedo’s long-range ping into the top left, Alf Ramsey netting from 45 yards at White Hart Lane). All of which is a long-winded way of pointing out that when things aren’t going well, it never rains but it pours.
Arne Slot talks to TNT Sports. “We were here in time to have proper sleep [after last night’s plane delay] … not ideal but not something to complain about … every time I select a team it is always difficult because I have so many good players … I liked the way [the subs against United] added to to the game in the second half … created a lot of chances … also Ryan [Gravenberch] is out so we have to restructure our midfield … so we decided to start like this … I have players to start and to impact the game coming off the bench … we need to create chances … we are hoping and expecting Jeremie [Frimpong] to create something for [Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike] … [Cody] Gakpo to do the same on the left … with Florian Wirtz’s creativity in and around our two number nines … where we usually play with one six, now we play with Curtis [Jones] and Dom [Szoboszlai] … if you are in a situation like we are, nine out of ten is not enough, you have to be ten out of ten.”
Arne Slot finally ditches the starting XI sent out to face both Chelsea and Manchester United in Liverpool’s two previous matches. He’s made five changes after the 2-1 defeat to United at Anfield on Sunday. Mohamed Salah dropping to the bench is one piece of big news; the return to the starting line-up of Florian Wirtz is another. Hugo Ekitike, Curtis Jones and Jeremie Frimpong, all of whom, along with Wirtz, added energy to Liverpool’s play when coming on against United, are also back in, as is Andy Robertson; Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley and the out-of-sorts Alexis Mac Allister drop to the bench alongside Salah, while Ryan Gravenberch is at home having picked up an ankle problem against United.
The teams: Salah benched
Eintracht Frankfurt: Zetterer, Kristensen, Amenda, Koch, Theate, Gotze, Larsson, Knauff, Doan, Brown, Bahoya.
Subs: Grahl, Santos, Chaibi, Burkardt, Skhiri, Wahi, Dahoud, Chandler, Buta, Batshuayi, Collins, Uzun.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Szoboszlai, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Frimpong, Wirtz, Jones, Gakpo, Ekitike, Isak.
Subs: Woodman, Gomez, Endo, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Salah, Bradley, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Misciur.
Referee: Francois Letexier (France).
Preamble
After losing four matches in a row, Liverpool aren’t quite heading towards uncharted waters. But the map they’re referring to is old, yellow and fraying at the sides. Here’s a sequence Don Welsh’s side put together in the autumn of 1953 …
Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Liverpool
Newcastle United 4-0 Liverpool
Liverpool 1-5 Preston North End
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool
… and that’s the last time the Redmen (still wearing white shorts back then, mind) lost five on the bounce. They ended up being relegated from the old First Division in last place.
Now, nobody’s seriously suggesting Liverpool are going down this season. But that sequence is a 72-year-old bit of history Arne Slot won’t fancy repeating. Plus his side need to get their Premier League and Champions League campaigns back on track quicksmart … though exactly what to expect tonight is anyone’s guess: Eintracht Frankfurt’s first two matches in this year’s competition both ended 5-1 – a home win over Galatasaray and an away defeat at Atletico Madrid – while Liverpool have beaten the team Eintracht lost to, and lost to the one Eintracht beat. So the rules of the playground are of no use whatsoever here. The unpredictable fun begins at 8pm UK time. It’s on!
