When Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike lines up against his former club Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, he will encounter a vastly different side from the one he left just a few months ago.
Last season, Frankfurt made history by qualifying for the Champions League for only the second time ever, finishing third in the Bundesliga—their best league result since the 1992–93 campaign.
This season, however, has been anything but smooth. The Eagles have won just once in their last five matches across all competitions, conceding 18 goals in that stretch, as inconsistency continues to plague their campaign.
Liverpool, despite their own struggles—including a four-match losing streak—will sense an opportunity to exploit Frankfurt’s defensive frailties.
Ekitike was the heart of Frankfurt’s attack last season, especially after Omar Marmoush departed for Manchester City in January. The French forward contributed 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young forwards.
But Frankfurt’s model of selling top talents for profit has once again left them rebuilding. Ekitike’s £69 million transfer to Liverpool brought their total income from major player sales—including Randal Kolo Muani, Luka Jovic, Sebastian Haller, Willian Pacho, and Marmoush—to around €418 million since 2020.
While the club’s scouting network continues to uncover emerging talent, the constant turnover has inevitably led to instability. This season, Frankfurt’s performances have swung between moments of brilliance and complete disarray.
Their Champions League campaign perfectly reflects that contrast. They opened with a 5-1 demolition of Galatasaray, showcasing their youthful attacking flair, before being thrashed 5-1 by Atletico Madrid in their next outing due to a chaotic defensive display.
In the Bundesliga, Frankfurt sit seventh with a mixed record of three wins, three losses, and a draw. They boast one of the league’s most potent attacks—second only to Bayern Munich—but also one of its leakiest defences.
For Liverpool, the fixture offers a potential turning point. Despite the club’s stuttering form, Ekitike has been a rare positive, scoring five goals in 11 appearances. New signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, meanwhile, are still adapting, with both yet to find their rhythm in England.
Frankfurt sporting director Timmo Hardung believes Wednesday’s clash could reignite the team’s momentum.
“It will be a completely different game,” Hardung told the club’s official website. “Starting Monday, things will move forward again. Liverpool. Champions League. There’s nothing better in football. I’m incredibly excited about it.”
For Ekitike, it will be a night of familiar faces and old memories — but for Frankfurt, it could be the spark they desperately need to steady their season.
