Liverpool FC had a bumpy journey to Frankfurt on Tuesday. Even without a press conference, Arne Slot spoke about a painful absence and the Eintracht fans.
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Liverpool’s trip to Frankfurt for the Champions League got off to an awkward start after a technical issue with the team aircraft led to a departure delay of almost four hours.
The setback forced the cancellation of the mandatory pre match press conference, a formality that UEFA typically requires from participating clubs on the eve of group fixtures. Given that the disruption stemmed from a safety related technical finding on the plane, it is widely expected that Liverpool will not face disciplinary action. UEFA regulations allow for a degree of flexibility when extraordinary circumstances occur, and clubs are not usually punished when they act in line with safety protocols and aviation guidance.
Arne Slot addressed the situation through the club’s official channels rather than in a live media setting. He insisted the delay would not derail preparation, making clear that travel problems cannot serve as an excuse. That message fits the tone he has adopted since arriving at Anfield. Slot has repeatedly stressed process, focus, and adaptability, and he knows that after four consecutive competitive defeats the narrative will quickly turn if Liverpool show any signs of distraction. The Dutchman wants the team’s response to be visible in intensity and structure rather than in words at a podium.
The most significant footballing news is the absence of Ryan Gravenberch. The midfielder picked up an ankle issue during the defeat to Manchester United and has not recovered in time. Slot drew attention to how much Liverpool miss Gravenberch’s profile when he is not available. He highlighted earlier markers from the season such as the Community Shield against Crystal Palace and the Premier League opener against Bournemouth, two games where Liverpool also lacked his presence. In Slot’s view, Gravenberch offers a blend of athletic coverage and positional awareness that serves as a shield in front of the back four. That shielding is not only about tackles and recoveries. It concerns timing when stepping to press, closing passing lanes between the lines, and providing a simple outlet to reset possession when play becomes stretched.
Gravenberch’s development over the past two seasons has been one of Liverpool’s quiet success stories. He now ranks among the league’s more complete central midfielders, able to progress the ball through carries, engage in transitions, and contribute to ball recoveries. He has also become one of the few players in the squad who tends to ride through Slot’s rotation cycles. That reliability is precisely why his absence feels so acute for a tricky away night in Germany.
All of this elevates the importance of Curtis Jones, who is a strong candidate to start in central midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister. Jones offers secure ball retention and a neat passing range, while Mac Allister brings tempo control and line breaking distribution from deeper zones. Should Dominik Szoboszlai be deployed at right back as expected, Liverpool’s shape could morph in possession. Szoboszlai’s tendency to step inside means Liverpool may create a situational back three with the right back tucking in and the left back pushing higher. That would free the wide forward on the left to attack the half space and allow Mac Allister to orchestrate from a pocket just ahead of the central defenders.
Up front, the expectation is that Liverpool will freshen the lineup compared to the 1 to 2 defeat to United. Florian Wirtz is strongly tipped to start, which immediately adds creativity and unpredictability between the lines. His ability to receive on the half turn and combine in tight spaces can help Liverpool manipulate a compact block. Hugo Ekitike’s availability adds a different dimension as well. Ekitike can run the channels, occupy central defenders with his movement, and provide an aerial outlet when Liverpool are forced to play over pressure. Those options could prove vital if Frankfurt press aggressively early to feed off the energy of the home crowd.
For the hosts, Eintracht Frankfurt are known for an intense atmosphere and a willingness to engage in transitions. They can set pressing traps on the flanks and then break quickly through runners from midfield. That puts emphasis on Liverpool’s rest defense. Without Gravenberch, the balance behind the ball becomes a point of focus. Jones and Mac Allister will have to coordinate their positions so that one is always in place to slow counters. The central defenders must be ready to defend larger spaces if the fullbacks are encouraged to push on. Communication between the holding midfielder and the back line will be just as vital as any attacking pattern.
There is also a psychological layer to this tie. Travel delays can knock a routine out of rhythm. Teams are creatures of habit on matchday eve, with specific timings for meals, meetings, tactical walk throughs, and recovery modalities. Slot’s assertion that preparation remains intact points to a belief that Liverpool’s internal processes are robust. Modern performance departments plan for contingencies such as late arrivals by adapting meeting structures and using digital briefings. Recovery can be fine tuned so that players hit the same physiological checkpoints even when the day has been compressed. In that sense, the test is as much about mental calm and professional habits as it is about tactics.
What might the match look like if Liverpool execute Slot’s plan? Expect controlled aggression rather than chaos. Liverpool will aim to establish field position and hem Frankfurt in, then use Wirtz’s craft and the wide forwards’ diagonal runs to create separation in the final third. Set pieces could be decisive in a stadium where emotion surges with every corner and free kick. On the defensive side, early dominance in second balls and quick counterpressing actions will be non negotiable. Slot’s teams are at their best when the first five seconds after losing possession are ruthless, cutting off counters before they form.
The stakes are obvious. A fifth straight defeat would invite scrutiny, while a solid performance in Frankfurt would halt the slide and realign the story of the season. Even a draw away from home could carry value if the performance level points upward. With Gravenberch out, Liverpool need a collective response in midfield, a clean structure behind the ball, and a bit of spark in the final third. Slot has been clear that circumstances cannot be used as justification. The message is simple. Control what you can control, meet the intensity of the night, and let the football do the talking.
Updated: 04:43, 22 Oct 2025
