Curtis Jones is at risk of picking up a suspension in the Champions League on a night where Liverpool need a single point to guarantee a place in the knockout stages.
Jones will miss the game with Qarabag next week if he is yellow carded in this match, having already been shown two in the competition so far, against Galatasaray and Inter.
A one-match suspension is triggered for every third yellow card, and they are only wiped out after the completion of the quarter-finals.
It may be seen as an ideal time to pick up his third card to ‘restart’ the count ahead of the knockout stages, which Liverpool only need a point to qualify for – though they will need more to avoid the playoff round!
Liverpool have a strong recent away record in Europe
MILAN, ITALY - Monday, December 8, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring the winning goal from a penalty-kick during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at the Stadio San Siro. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool have won eight of the last 10 away European fixtures, losing at Galatasaray in September and at PSV in a dead rubber last season.
As for their recent travels to France, however, the Reds have won only one of the last six visits as the away team after winning the previous four.
Incredibly, none of Liverpool’s last 32 group/league matches in UEFA competition has finished in a draw, since the 1-1 at Midtjylland in December 2020.
Liverpool conceding first with alarming frequency
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai reacts to conceeding the equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The next goal Liverpool concede will be their 100th under Arne Slot in all games. This is game 89.
They have conceded the first goal 12 times in all competitions this season and only once have the Reds gone on to win, that was the 5-1 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt in October.
Interestingly, Liverpool have not conceded a second half goal to an opposition player in any of the last 11 away matches in Europe.
The only one during that sequence was a Conor Bradley own goal at Sparta Prague in March 2024.
A milestone match for Virgil van Dijk
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Virgil van Dijk is in line to play his 350th game for Liverpool in all competitions.
He has the second-most goals for the club in this competition (five) behind Mo Salah, who has 46.
The Egyptian needs two goals to become the first African ever to score 50 goals in the Champions League – although he has scored only once in his last seven gam
Marseille’s home record so far this season
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 31, 2024: Brighton & Hove Albion's manager Roberto De Zerbi during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Marseille have played 12 games at home in all competitions this season, winning eight and losing twice – to Atalanta (0-1) in the Champions League and to Nantes (0-2) in Ligue 1 in their last home fixture.
After winning each of their first five matches at home this season, they have won only three of the following seven.
They have conceded at least twice in 11 of their 27 games in all competitions this season.
This season’s scorers
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz (R) celebrates with team-mates Curtis Jones (L) and Milos Kerkez after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Marseille: Greenwood 20, Paixao 9, Aubameyang 8, Gomes 4, Gouiri 4, Vaz 4, Hojbjerg 3, Weah 3, Murillo 2, Traore 2, Aguerd 1, Balerdi 1, Egan-Riley 1, Maupay 1, Mmadi 1, Nadir 1, O’Riley 1, Pavard 1, own goals 2
Liverpool: Ekitike 12, Gakpo 6, Szoboszlai 6, Salah 5, Gravenberch 4, Wirtz 4, Isak 3, Chiesa 2, Frimpong 2, Van Dijk 2, Kerkez 1, Konate 1, Mac Allister 1, Ngumoha 1, Robertson 1, own goals 1
* Stats courtesy of LFC statistician Ged Rea (@ged0407).