Arne Slot explains Mohamed Salah decision and why Liverpool shape has changed for Frankfurt

 Arne Slot says he has reshaped his Liverpool midfield because of Ryan Gravenberch being absent, explaining that it was a tough call to take the out-of-form Mohamed Salah out of the team.

"The first answer is always yes (it was a difficult decision to make)," Slot admitted to TNT Sports. "But that is also to do with Mo and all the players I have.

"Every time I select a team, it’s always difficult because I have so many good players. That’s also the reason why I use these players. I liked the way we ended the game against Manchester United. Mainly the second half. Created a lot of chances.

"And Ryan is out, so that means we have to restructure our midfield a little bit as well — defensively and offensively. So all together with the way Frankfurt usually plays, we decided to start like this.

"But as always, I have players who start the game and I have players who can impact the game off the bench, and that is (the case) today as well."

On playing Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike together, Slot added: "What we need to try again today is create as many chances as we did the last few weeks. Then it is very helpful that we have two players in the team who can score a goal.

"We are hoping and expecting Jeremie Frimpong to create something for these two from the right and Cody Gakpo trying to do the same from the left, with Wirtz's creativity in and around our two number nines.

"They can play together, they showed it against Manchester United — although that was in the second half. It just means our midfield will be structured a little differently."

Liverpool has lost each of its last four matches in all competitions. Last time out in Europe, it went down 1-0 against Galatasaray — another game that Salah was benched for.

"I can come up with a few more reasons why it is important to get a result as well," Slot said ahead of the game when asked about the importance of getting back on track after four successive defeats.

"But every time you play a game in a Liverpool shirt, the aim is to win that game of football.

"Now we play Frankfurt away, which is maybe a bit similar to Galatasaray, a stadium where the fans will be really loud.

"So, apart from the quality Frankfurt have, this is something we have to take into account as well. But our players are used to playing in these circumstances. But a challenge, as it always is when you play Champions League.

"Like I said before the Manchester United game, it should not matter if we win or lose a game of football for the next one. The aim if you play for Liverpool, if you wear this shirt, is to win every single game.

"So, if we win seven in a row, how we started the season, then we want to win the next three. We didn't. Now we've lost the last four. So now, of course we want to see Liverpool winning again.

"But that is not different when you lost four in a row or you won four in a row — it is just what is expected of you if you play for Liverpool."