LIVERPOOL, England — Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitiké will face his former club when the Reds meet Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, a match that comes as both sides fight to regain form after a string of poor results.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ekitiké, 23, joined Liverpool from Frankfurt in July for a reported £79 million transfer fee, one of the biggest deals of the summer. His return to the Deutsche Bank Park adds an emotional subplot to a high-stakes clash between two teams searching for momentum.

Liverpool enter the game under pressure following four consecutive defeats in all competitions, including a 2–1 home loss to Manchester United last weekend. The defending Premier League champions have struggled to find consistency under new manager Arne Slot, whose side is now facing criticism from fans and pundits.

Frankfurt are also in turmoil. The German club, which finished third in the Bundesliga last season, has slumped in recent weeks. They drew 2–2 in their last league game and were beaten 5–1 by Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. The loss of key players over the summer — including Ekitiké — has left them short of firepower and confidence.

Wednesday’s fixture, set for 9 p.m. local time, will see Ekitiké return to the stadium where he became one of Europe’s most talked-about young forwards. Last season, he scored 15 goals in 33 league appearances, helping Frankfurt qualify for the Champions League for the first time in more than a decade.

Since moving to Liverpool, Ekitiké has endured a mixed start, scoring just twice in his first seven matches. However, Slot is expected to start him against his old club, hoping his familiarity with Frankfurt’s defense can help turn around Liverpool’s scoring problems.

“Ekitiké knows this stadium, he knows their style,” a Liverpool team source told local reporters Tuesday. “This is the kind of game where he can make a difference.”

For Frankfurt, the challenge will be containing the French striker while also improving their own defensive discipline. Coach Dino Toppmöller faces growing pressure from fans after his side’s poor run in both domestic and European competition. Injuries to key players have not helped, with several first-team regulars still recovering from knocks.

Liverpool also have injury concerns. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai are both sidelined, forcing Slot to rely on younger players and recent signings. Despite these setbacks, the team is determined to avoid a fifth straight defeat — something the club has not experienced in over a decade.

Sports analysts say the meeting could serve as a turning point for both teams. A win for Liverpool would ease the pressure on Slot and boost morale ahead of their next Premier League fixtures. For Frankfurt, a strong performance could revive hopes of advancing to the Champions League knockout stage.

“This match is about confidence,” said German football commentator Jens Weidmann on Sky Sport News. “Both teams are fragile. Whichever side scores first could control the game.”

Ekitiké’s return provides a personal twist to an already tense encounter. The French forward remains popular among Frankfurt supporters, many of whom were disappointed by his transfer. His performance on Wednesday will likely define the headlines — either as the player who punished his former club or one still finding his rhythm in England.

The game at Deutsche Bank Park will be broadcast live across Europe, with thousands of fans expected to attend despite both sides’ recent struggles. For Ekitiké and his new team, it represents more than just three points — it’s a chance to restore belief and prove that Liverpool’s expensive summer rebuild can still deliver results.