Liverpool took a big leap towards the Champions League last 16 as they earned a 3-0 victory over Marseille in their penultimate game of the league phase.
A first-half Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, an own goal - engineered by livewire Jeremie Frimpong - and a late Cody Gakpo strike delivered Arne Slot’s side a much-deserved triumph at the Stade Velodrome. In truth, Liverpool’s win could have been more emphatic as they stretched their unbeaten run to 13 matches.
Match report
Liverpool had the better of the first half and Joe Gomez should have done so much better when his free header from a corner failed to hit the target.
In the 19th minute, Alexis Mac Allister dragged a shot narrowly wide for the Reds. Two minutes later, Hugo Ekitike had the ball in the back of the net when he met Szoboszlai’s low cross but VAR rightly chalked the goal out for offside.
Liverpool were indebted to goalkeeper Alisson Becker on 27 minutes when he made a fine save from Amine Gouiri.
Mo Salah’s improvised effort went not too far over the bar for Slot’s side and it looked as if it would be honours even at half-time. But in stoppage-time, the Reds were awarded a free-kick and Szoboszlai took advantage of Marseille not deploying a draft excluders and struck his effort below the jumping wall to score.
The hosts did ask questions of Liverpool early in the second half, with Mason Greenwood having a long-range shot denied by Alisson before the former Manchester United forward had an effort blocked by Kerkez.
The Reds went agonisingly close to doubling their advantage in the 59th minute when Szoboszlai slipped in Ekitike but his shot crashed off the post. Seconds later, Marseille mustered a counter-attack but Hamed Traore blazed over the bar.
The next goal was going to be crucial - and it went Liverpool’s way. Frimpong wriggled his way to the byline and pulled back a cross that was inadvertently steered into his own goal by Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli.
It was nothing less than the Reds deserved and they should have had a third when Salah was set free but got his finish all wrong. But they did extend their advantage at the death when Liverpool mustered a counter and substitute Gakpo kept his composure.
The Reds have moved up to fourth in the Champions League table with one game to play. A victory over Qarabag at Anfield next week will ensure Slot’s troops bypass the knockout play-off round and book their spot in the last 16.
Liverpool player ratings vs Marseille.
Alertly got off his line a couple of times in the first haf and made one fine save. Made another big stop from Greenwood after the break and long ball got Liverpool away for Salah's chance. Made a good save at the death to keep a clean sheet.
1. Alisson Becker - 7
Alertly got off his line a couple of times in the first haf and made one fine save. Made another big stop from Greenwood after the break and long ball got Liverpool away for Salah's chance. Made a good save at the death to keep a clean sheet. | AFP via Getty Images
Tried to get involved in attacks when he could and almost had an assist when finding Salah. Continued to ask questions in the second half and deserved all of the credit for Liverpool's second goal after putting on the afterburners to wriggle to the byline.
2. Jeremie Frimpong - 7
Tried to get involved in attacks when he could and almost had an assist when finding Salah. Continued to ask questions in the second half and deserved all of the credit for Liverpool's second goal after putting on the afterburners to wriggle to the byline. | AFP via Getty Images
Had to do better and hit the target with a free header early in the first half, although defensively sound. Made a couple of important interceptions in the second period.
3. Joe Gomez - 7
Had to do better and hit the target with a free header early in the first half, although defensively sound. Made a couple of important interceptions in the second period. | Getty Images
Got in the way of everything in the first half. Made a big block to steer a Weah shot wide after the break and was positionally tremendous.
4. Virgil van Dijk - 8
Got in the way of everything in the first half. Made a big block to steer a Weah shot wide after the break and was positionally tremendous. | Getty Images