SLOT BACK ON TRACHT

Ekitike and Wirtz shine as champs return to winning ways and avoid matching 72-year-old losing record

- BY IAN DOYLE in Frankfurt

THIS was definitely worth the wait for Liverpool. And now Arne Slot will hope his new-look team have finally achieved liftoff this season.

Having been delayed by four hours before jetting out to Germany for this Champions League clash, Slot’s side delivered their best performance of a fitful campaign with victory at Eintracht Frankfurt.

It ensured Liverpool avoided the ignominy of becoming the first Reds side since 1953 to lose five consecutive matches, following a miserable month.

More importantly for Slot (right), though, was the fact this was a victory in which several of his big-money summer signings proved influential.

Hugo Ekitike, a £79m arrival, netted a sixth goal of the season against his former club, while £116m man Florian Wirtz was outstanding in an unaccustomed right-wing position in which he provided two assists.

Yes, there will be worries that £125m British record signing Alexander Isak was again subdued before being replaced at halftime due to fitness concerns.