Liverpool secures 3-0 victory over Marseille
Liverpool cruised to a convincing 3-0 triumph against Marseille on Wednesday evening, propelling themselves into fourth position in the Champions League table, reports BritPanorama.
The victory at the Stade Velodrome not only solidified Liverpool’s standing but also significantly boosted their chances of securing a top-eight finish, thereby allowing them to bypass the knockout play-off round.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s ingenious set-piece broke the deadlock, catching the Marseille defence off guard in first-half stoppage time. An unfortunate own goal from goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli then doubled Liverpool’s advantage. Substitute Cody Gakpo sealed the win with a late strike.
Captain Virgil van Dijk praised the team’s collective effort following the match: “Everyone put a shift in and that’s how it should be.” Szoboszlai’s free-kick marked his second direct free-kick goal of the season, making him the first Liverpool player to achieve this feat since Trent Alexander-Arnold during the 2022/23 season. This performance continues Szoboszlai’s impressive European run, where he has contributed either a goal or assist in each of his last five continental fixtures.
Mohamed Salah made his first start since late November, following a period of absence that sparked controversy regarding his relationship with manager Arne Slot. Against Marseille, Salah was deployed in an unusual 4-2-2-2 system alongside Hugo Ekitike, while Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz operated behind them. Though Salah’s presence was notable, his influence was not decisive, with one glaring miss leaving him scuffing wide when presented with a goal-scoring opportunity.
Jeremie Frimpong’s driving run along the byline brought relief for the visitors, with his cutback deflecting off Rulli and trickling over the line. Gakpo then added the finishing touch in the 92nd minute, curling a low shot into the far corner, finalising the scoreline at 3-0. The result extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run to 13 matches, reflecting a remarkable turnaround from earlier struggles this season. As the Reds find their rhythm, their sights now are firmly set on European progression.
