Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Marseille as Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring and Jeremie Frimpong forced a second in a really good European win
21:54, 21 Jan 2026Updated 21:59, 21 Jan 2026
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Marseille.
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Marseille.(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
ORANGE VELODROME, MARSEILLE // Liverpool is on course to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League without the need for a play-off after a very impressive — and morale-boosting — win for Arne Slot's side.
In first-half stoppage time against Marseille, Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock with a clever free-kick that went under a poor defensive wall. And though it took until the 71st minute, Jeremie Frimpong did well to beat his man inside the penalty area and force an own-goal from Geronimo Rulli. Cody Gakpo added a third late on.
A lot of the good results that Liverpool has picked up this season have come in Europe. Once again, this was a performance that showed why, despite the poor domestic form, the Reds could have a chance at going far in the Champions League.
READ MORE: Marseille vs Liverpool LIVE: Szoboszlai and Gakpo score in 3-0 win as Reds move 4th in tableREAD MORE: 'Arne Slot deserves more time at Liverpool - but Xabi Alonso means one thing is inevitable'
Winners
Mohamed Salah did pretty well on his return to club action while Szoboszlai, who has made a couple of mistakes in recent games, would have enjoyed scoring.
His penalty miss was costly at the weekend, but the 25-year-old made no mistake from the edge of the area here. They, Ryan Gravenberch and Joe Gomez played well in another really good European performance from Liverpool.
Losers
Federico Chiesa picked up an injury in the warm-up, which ruled him out of playing in the game. Clearly, that was far from ideal for the Italian and Liverpool, with Arne Slot already short of attacking options. In the end, though, he wasn't needed. Cody Gakpo came off the bench and by that point, the Reds were already well on their way to victory.
Player ratings
Alisson Becker (7). Did well to anticipate a couple of balls in behind, which he swept up nicely. Made a really good save from Mason Greenwood when he had a go from distance and later from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Jeremie Frimpong (7). Playing at full-back but allowed to get forward and provide width, the Dutchman was strong enough defensively but didn't get that involved in attack. A quiet-ish performance from him until he forced the own-goal that made the points secure.
Joe Gomez (8). In the side because of Ibrahima Konate attending a personal matter, he did well relative to the circumstances (i.e. he wouldn't have expected to be involved, and hasn't played for a while). His passing was excellent and his defensive play solid.
Virgil van Dijk (7). Making his 350th appearance for Liverpool, the Dutchman was required a couple of times to move across and help deal with Greenwood. Made a few good blocks and got his body in the way when he needed to.
Milos Kerkez (7). Offering width down the left, the full-back got into some decent positions in forward areas without making the most of them. Defensively, did well and looked calmer than he has done at times in a Liverpool jersey in an intense atmosphere.
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Ryan Gravenberch (8). Kept things ticking at the base of the midfield. Provided a platform for those in front of him to break forward and won the free-kick that Szoboszlai scored from. Silky in possession and very clever throughout.
Alexis Mac Allister (7). Shot narrowly wide early-ish in the game. A bit like Gravenberch, was mainly functional rather than anything more eye-catching, but simplicity is no bad thing.
Mohamed Salah (7). Straight back into the starting XI after returning from AFCON, the Egyptian played very narrowly in the main. Unlucky with a flicked attempt at goal in the first half but generally lively and showed how he can fit into Slot's attacking plan. Should have scored from a one-vs-one chance that he got horribly wrong.
Dominik Szoboszlai* (9). *Breaking forward from midfield, the Hungarian was a threat and broke the deadlock just before half-time with a clever free-kick. He had obviously done his homework and it paid off. Played a few really good through-balls into teammates, including Hugo Ekitike when he hit the post. The stand-out.
Florian Wirtz* (7). *In the center, the German was once again a man who lots of attacks went through for Liverpool. Once or twice, he needed to get a shot off more decisively, but he was a creative hub.
Hugo Ekitike (7). Very wide on the left whenever Marseille had the ball, he worked hard for the team. Nice finish when he was marginally offside in the first half and looked bright a few times on the counter. Hit the post with an effort in the second half. In the end, he was unlucky not to come away with a goal.
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Substitutes
Cody Gakpo (7). Made an impact and should have got an assist when he played Salah in. A decent cameo from the winger, who finished really nicely in stoppage time.
Curtis Jones (7). Brought on to see the result out and to give Wirtz a rest, it was a good move to be able to call upon Arne Slot. The kind of substitution that you need but a lack of depth has meant Liverpool has been without of late.