Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 13 games with a 3-0 win at Marseille, with Arne Slot‘s full-backs afforded the opportunity to showcase their best qualities.
Marseille 0-3 Liverpool
Champions League, League Phase (7) | Orange Velodrome
January 21, 2026
Goals: Szoboszlai 45+1′, Rulli OG 72′, Gakpo 90+3′
1. Arne Slot gets it tactically spot on
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot before the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He’s had enough criticism this season, so how about Arne Slot gets some deserved credit for Liverpool’s performance in this one?
The Dutchman’s 4-2-2-2 formation did a perfect job of quietening down a Marseille attack that had scored more goals than PSG (41) in Ligue 1 this season, restricting them to 0.88xG largely earned through speculative shots from outside the box.
It also allowed the Reds to easily work the ball from back to front, resulting in 11 shots and 1.49 xG generated – and that could have been so much more with some cleaner passing in the final third.
The tweak to Ryan Gravenberch‘s positioning, which saw him dropping in to right-back to give Jeremie Frimpong licence to roam, also proved a masterstroke.
Slot has got plenty wrong this term, but this was a perfectly coached performance that inspires real hope that the Champions League could provide a silver lining on this disappointing campaign.
2. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez set the tone
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Arguably the best thing about Liverpool’s narrow setup is that it emphasised the qualities of their full-backs.
Aside from playing a key role in the second goal, Frimpong was a menace all night down the right, pinning Marseille back and winning 5/10 ground duels when forced to defend.
Milos Kerkez, too, was lively, locking down Mason Greenwood (I’ll let you add to that one…) in winning 7/10 duels overall and providing an outlet down the left.
The whole summer’s business seemed to be focused on what these two players could provide, and so it surely makes sense to stick with a plan that makes the most of that going forward.
3. Joe Gomez shines in rare Liverpool outing after stepping in for Ibrahima Konate
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Unsurprisingly, given his lack of minutes, Joe Gomez has tended to look rusty when called upon this season, and so you worried for him this evening.
But the Englishman barely put a foot wrong standing in for Ibrahima Konate, absent for family reasons, showing just why he has registered so many appearances for this club down the years.
Gomez won 3/5 duels, posted three recoveries, and made seven clearances as part of a typically composed performance.
He also showed he is no slouch on the ball, completing a ridiculous 100 percent of his passes.
If only he could stay fit!
4. Mo Salah’s spat with Arne Slot appears to be over
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This may not have been his best game in a Liverpool shirt, but the very fact Mohamed Salah was involved from the off felt significant.
Prior to the Egyptian’s departure to the Africa Cup of Nations, Slot had felt that he had such a negative effect on his team’s out-of-possession setup that he had no choice but to drop him.
Yet here the head coach was, starting his No. 11 at the first available opportunity following his return in a Champions League away game in which the Reds were expected to be seriously tested.
Salah did not reward that call with a brilliant attacking showing, taking just two shots and creating one chance, but he did enough off the ball to justify his place.
Hopefully, the truce between the two that appears to have been called can hold firm going forward.
5. Liverpool in driving seat for Champions League top eight
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (R) celebrates with team-mate Ryan Gravenberch after scoring the third goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Liverpool’s form so mediocre coming into this, you felt that a point was the best they could hope for, and the truth is that wouldn’t have been the worst result in terms of their top-eight chances.
But, after rather surprisingly claiming all three in confident fashion, Slot’s men now suddenly look an incredibly safe bet to avoid a dangerous two-legged playoff.
They sit fourth in the standings after seven games played, and their final fixture sees 18th-placed Qarabag travel to Anfield.
If 16 points gets you top eight as it did last season, then surely the Reds are all but through?