Slot Faces Early Test of Resolve
Having arrived from Feyenoord with a reputation for clear structures and disciplined attacking play, Slot now faces scrutiny from every angle. His Liverpool side — bolstered by nearly £450 million worth of summer investment — have not yet shown the fluidity or consistency expected of English champions.
The additions of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak were intended to usher in a new era of dynamism. Yet performances have instead stuttered, with Liverpool’s rhythm often breaking down in transition. Slot’s biggest challenge has not been creativity but cohesion — and as results slide, so too has the confidence of a squad built for control but currently struggling for clarity.
The 2-1 defeat to Manchester United was perhaps the clearest indication that something is amiss. Liverpool lacked tempo in possession and authority without it. Three days later, they must regroup and rediscover their rhythm against a Frankfurt side known for energy, pressing and counter-attacking efficiency.
Alonso’s Frankfurt Lessons Offer a Clear Model
It’s no coincidence that many observers are looking back to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen for guidance. Alonso’s team, who conquered both Frankfurt and the Bundesliga last season, demonstrated how intelligent positional play and controlled aggression can dismantle the German side’s compact defensive shape.
Leverkusen’s dominance over Frankfurt under Alonso was striking. Across four encounters, Die Werkself won every meeting — including emphatic victories of 3-0 and 5-1. The keys to those performances were the interplay between Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, a duo who combined pace, precision and understanding to devastating effect.
Slot will remember those lessons well. Both Wirtz and Frimpong now wear red, and both are pushing for starts after strong cameos in recent games. Their chemistry, honed in Leverkusen’s title-winning campaign, could hold the key to Liverpool unlocking stubborn opposition lines.
Wirtz and Frimpong Ready to Influence
Wirtz’s transition to English football has been under the microscope from day one. His £100 million price tag ensures every touch is judged, every missed chance magnified. But beneath the noise lies a player of exceptional intelligence and instinct — one who thrives when surrounded by movement and confidence.
Against United, Wirtz’s introduction brought a noticeable lift. He found space between lines, threaded passes, and showed glimpses of the creativity that once defined Alonso’s Leverkusen. Similarly, Frimpong’s energy from the bench changed the dynamic of Liverpool’s attack, offering direct width and unpredictability.
Starting them together against Frankfurt might provide the balance Slot has been seeking — reconnecting Liverpool’s midfield control with forward incision.
Tactical Clarity Could Revive Liverpool’s Momentum
Slot is unlikely to abandon his principles overnight, but small adjustments may be decisive. Liverpool’s press has become disjointed; their passing too predictable. A return to positional rotations — as Alonso used to such success — could rejuvenate the side’s tempo and confidence.
Frankfurt, familiar foes for Wirtz and Frimpong, will pose a stern test of that theory. Yet within this fixture lies a symbolic opportunity: a chance for Slot’s Liverpool to rediscover the fluency that once made them Europe’s most complete team.
If the lessons of Alonso’s Leverkusen are applied wisely, Liverpool may yet find that their path back to form begins in Frankfurt.
