Liverpool delivered a commanding performance in Marseille, winning 3-0 to boost their chances of automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16. Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring with a clever free-kick, Jeremie Frimpong forced an own goal, and substitute Cody Gakpo added a stoppage-time strike. The victory was Liverpool’s ninth in 11 European away games, providing a welcome respite from their Premier League struggles.
Mohamed Salah returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous European match against Inter due to an explosive interview. Manager Arne Slot deployed a midfield diamond formation that had worked effectively in that game. Joe Gomez deputised impressively for the absent Ibrahima Konaté alongside Virgil van Dijk, who made his 350th appearance for the club.
Marseille, coached by Roberto De Zerbi, struggled in possession and failed to create sustained pressure. Hugo Ekitiké had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, while Mason Greenwood forced a fine save from Alisson after the break. Hamed Traoré also missed a clear chance, firing over with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Szoboszlai’s free-kick came after a lengthy VAR check for a possible handball by Timothy Weah. The midfielder spotted Rulli off his line and swept the ball underneath the wall and inside the left-hand post. It was a welcome moment for Szoboszlai, who had missed a penalty against Burnley and been accused of disrespect in the FA Cup.
Both teams wore black armbands and observed applause before kick-off for former Marseille player and manager Rolland Courbis, who died on 12 January. The Marseille fans displayed a tifo of the Beatles reading a newspaper with the headline ‘Let history repeat itself’, referencing Didier Drogba’s goal that knocked Liverpool out of the Uefa Cup in 2004.
