Marseille 0-3 Liverpool: Szoboszlai free-kick fires Reds toward Champions League knockouts

Liverpool strengthened their hopes of a smooth route into the Champions League knockout stages with an authoritative 3-0 victory over Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome, a result that lifted them into fourth place in the league-phase standings.

Arne Slot’s side began the night sitting just outside the crucial top-eight positions but delivered a composed and mature away performance to put themselves firmly back in control of their European destiny. Against a lively Marseille outfit backed by a hostile crowd, Liverpool showed patience, quality, and clinical finishing at key moments.

The breakthrough arrived in first-half stoppage time when Dominik Szoboszlai made amends for a difficult week by producing a moment of ingenuity. Having missed a penalty in Saturday’s draw with Burnley, the Hungarian midfielder responded by sending a low free-kick beneath the Marseille wall and into the corner, leaving goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli stranded.

Liverpool doubled their advantage shortly after the interval through a slice of fortune combined with sharp attacking intent. Jeremie Frimpong burst past his marker inside the penalty area and pulled the ball back across goal, where Rulli inadvertently diverted it into his own net under pressure.

The visitors wrapped up the win in the closing stages as substitute Cody Gakpo applied a composed finish from Ryan Gravenberch’s well-weighted pass. The goal capped a dominant display and underlined Liverpool’s growing confidence as the competition moves toward its decisive phase.

The match also marked Mohamed Salah’s return to the starting XI following the controversy surrounding his future earlier in the season. Fresh from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt, Salah was lively and involved but uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal, missing a clear opportunity when played through by Gakpo.

Marseille threatened sporadically, forcing Alisson Becker into a handful of saves, while Hugo Ekitike came closest for the hosts when his powerful effort struck the post during a brief spell of second-half pressure. However, Liverpool largely dictated proceedings, controlling possession and limiting Marseille’s ability to build sustained momentum.

The victory was only Liverpool’s second in their last six matches across all competitions, yet its importance cannot be overstated. With one league-phase fixture remaining, Slot’s men are now well placed to finish comfortably inside the top eight and avoid the uncertainty of a two-legged playoff round. They will host Qarabag next week knowing that another win would guarantee their progress.

Permutations: What does the win mean?

The result in Marseille has opened the door not only for a top-eight finish but potentially a place inside the top four as well. With the Champions League table tightly packed, every point remains vital.

Liverpool still need to take care of business against Qarabag to remove any lingering doubt. While a draw might prove sufficient, the congested nature of the standings means several teams below them could still reach or exceed 16 points depending on results elsewhere.

Victory at Anfield would eliminate that risk entirely and could elevate Liverpool into the top four. Such a finish would be significant, ensuring they host the second leg of their last-16 tie, as well as any potential quarter-final, providing a notable home advantage as the tournament intensifies.

Slot pleased with controlled display

After the match, Arne Slot highlighted both the difficulty of the venue and the level of performance required to come away with such a convincing result. He noted that Marseille’s tactical organisation and the atmosphere generated by their supporters make the Stade Vélodrome a challenging place to play.

Slot also reflected on Liverpool’s improved game management, pointing out how close they have come in recent weeks to dropping points from winning positions. On this occasion, the margins that have often gone against them finally swung in their favour, allowing them to see the match through with authority.

Analysis: Has Szoboszlai taken centre stage?

Salah’s return to the starting line-up suggested he remains a central figure in Slot’s plans, but Liverpool increasingly appear to have a new driving force in Dominik Szoboszlai.

The midfielder endured a frustrating few days prior to the trip to France, making costly errors in domestic competitions. Yet his response in Marseille was emphatic. When Liverpool earned a free-kick in a dangerous area just before halftime, Szoboszlai immediately took responsibility, signalling his intent and confidence.

The resulting goal was the defining moment of the contest and another example of his growing influence. It was his fourth goal in seven Champions League appearances this season, supplemented by three assists, underlining his consistency on the European stage.

Beyond the goal, Szoboszlai was central to much of Liverpool’s attacking play, linking midfield and attack with energy and intelligence. Since Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence, he has assumed greater responsibility from set pieces and continues to deliver in high-pressure situations.

Salah may be back in the side, but Liverpool’s rhythm and leadership increasingly flow through Szoboszlai. As the knockout rounds approach, his emergence as the team’s talisman could prove decisive in determining how far the Reds can go in Europe this season.