Mohamed Salah made his first start in over a month as Liverpool secured a dominant 3-0 Champions League victory away to Marseille, but it was Dominik Szoboszlai who stole the show with a clever free-kick and an assist.
The Egyptian forward, returning after a public fallout with manager Arne Slot and a subsequent Africa Cup of Nations break, was overshadowed by his close friend Szoboszlai. The Hungarian midfielder opened the scoring in first-half added time with a low free-kick that crept under the Marseille wall and inside the post.
Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead in the second half when his cross deflected off goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, before Cody Gakpo added a third in stoppage time. The win makes a top-eight finish in the Champions League group stage increasingly likely for Liverpool.
Salah, playing in a front two with Hugo Ekitike, had a quiet evening. He fired a header wide and screwed a shot wide when one-on-one with Rulli, showing a lack of sharpness after his lay-off. The game highlighted that Liverpool’s creative influence now flows through Wirtz, Szoboszlai and Ekitike.
Liverpool’s press was effective, with Ryan Gravenberch winning the ball for an early chance that was ruled offside. Alisson Becker made key saves from Amine Gouiri and Mason Greenwood as Marseille pushed for an equaliser before Frimpong’s fortunate second goal sealed the result.
