Liverpool 5–1 Frankfurt: Quotes, Control and a Champions League Re-Set
Liverpool’s 5–1 victory over Frankfurt was as much about intent as execution, and Lewis Aspinall’s post-match reaction captured that mood swing. “Let’s not get carried away… we beat Frankfurt… a side who have really struggled this season,” he cautioned, even as he acknowledged the significance: “We’ve broke the streak. No more losses… that is the perfect way to respond.”
Context and control in Liverpool’s Frankfurt win
The caveat is clear in Aspinall’s words: “Let’s not pretend like this was an amazing team that we beat,” he said, listing Frankfurt’s heavy concessions this season. Yet the more telling point was Liverpool’s agency. “Our first instinct was to attack. Our first thought was to get the ball in behind,” he observed. That switch away from sterile possession mattered: “We looked like a fluid attacking team again… we were positive in our approach.”
The emphasis on front-foot football threaded through his analysis. “There is space there. Let’s exploit it. Let’s have a go,” he said, framing a template that finally matched Liverpool’s strengths. For once, there was no reliance on late drama: “It was a win where we deserved the win because we played brilliant attacking football.”
Shape and selection sharpen Liverpool’s edge
Aspinall highlighted a structural reset: “Look at the formation that we played—4-4-2… we’ve been saying for so long something’s got to change.” He argued the change “allowed us to get the best out of… Florian Wirtz… Dominic [Szoboszlai] was superb today. Cody Gakpo had a great game.”
Set-plays were a decisive thread. “Two set piece goals today… get Aaron Biggs a mural in Anfield because those two goals were brilliant,” he said, underlining rehearsed routines that repeatedly exposed Frankfurt’s near-post coverage.
Personnel changes also told. On the right, the enforced substitution created an opening: “Connor Bradley… that’s the Connor Bradley that I expect to see… That was a brilliant, brilliant match from him,” Aspinall said, praising the youngster’s aggression and timing on overlaps. At centre-back, the captain led with calm: “There’s few defenders more composed than Virgil van Dijk,” while Ibrahima Konaté delivered “a brilliant header” and “recovery pace… [that] was superb.”
Midfield rhythm, verticality and end product
If the shape framed the game, the midfield authored it. Aspinall lauded Curtis Jones’ control with purpose: “You need someone like Curtis Jones who can slow the play down… and he was very positive in his approach.” On Dominik Szoboszlai, he was emphatic: “This is his renaissance season… anywhere you stick him, he’s integral to the way that this team moves,” capped by “a long-distance, low-driven shot” for the fifth.
The creative hinge was Florian Wirtz, liberated by licence to roam. “He looked like the [player] that we signed… his passing was positive… He got two assists today,” Aspinall said, adding that with runners ahead of the ball, “that’s when you see the best of Florian Wirtz.”
Finishing touches and the Champions League picture
Up front, there was a clear pointer on merit. “Ekitike is contributing to this team… it’s hard to justify picking Isak over Ekitike at the moment,” Aspinall argued after a composed one-on-one finish and persistent movement in behind. He was more circumspect about a late cameo elsewhere: “As soon as [the substitute] came on the impetus shifted… he had to square [it]… and he didn’t,” a nod to a break that should have sealed a sixth.
Perspective still matters—Frankfurt’s fragility cannot be ignored—but the performance offered a repeatable plan: early passes into space, runners beyond the ball, and set-pieces with purpose. As Aspinall concluded, the result is both symbolic and practical: “We’ve beaten Frankfurt 5-1. The Champions League campaign’s back on track… more importantly, the season could be back on track.”
