Dominik Szoboszlai set Liverpool on their way to Champions League victory at Marseille with the opening goal on Wednesday evening
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai after the Champions League win over Marseille in France on January 21 2026(Image: TNT Sports)View Image
Dominik Szoboszlai has revealed how attention to detail from Liverpool's backroom staff helped him set the Reds on their way to Champions League victory in Marseille. Szoboszlai scored the opener from a free-kick in first-half injury time as Arne Slot's side took a major step towards automatic qualification for the round of 16 at the Stade Velodrome with a 3-0 win on Wednesday evening.
After Liverpool were awarded a foul near the edge of the Marseille area, the midfielder assumed responsibility ahead of Mohamed Salah and struck a low shot under the wall and beyond goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
And Szoboszlai later explained how he had been informed the French side often decide, unlike many other teams, not to have a player lay on the floor behind the wall to keep out such an effort.
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"I did my homework," he said to TNT Sports. "I got told that if nobody is laying down then maybe I can have a chance to hit it under the wall.
"No-one was laying down so I tried it and, yeah, it worked out.
"We will always discuss who feels good in the game (to take the free-kick). He (Salah) asked me if I wanted to take it and I said: 'Yes, because I checked if nobody is laying down I'm going to take it under the wall'. He said: 'Okay, then take it' and I scored.
"I'm really happy that he (Salah) is back and helping the team on the pitch and also off the pitch as well. I'm really close to him and I like to play with him, he's shown many times he has the ability to change a game.
"He didn't have a goal or an assist today, still he was working hard and sometimes you have to close your eyes and work hard for the team. Probably next game he will score or assist someone."
Szoboszlai was also involved in the build-up to Liverpool's third goal scored by substitute Cody Gakpo after Jeremie Frimpong had forced an own goal from Rulli on 72 minutes.
The result means the Reds are now in fourth place in the table with just a home game against Qarabag remaining next Wednesday. The top eight qualify directly to the last 16 and avoid the need for a play-off.
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"I am very happy," said Szoboszlai. "We knew it would be tough, we know what they are able to do with this coach (Roberto De Zerbi). We were prepared and we take the three points."