Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool climbed to fourth in the Champions League table with an impressive 3-0 victory over Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome. Starting the night outside the crucial top-eight places, Arne Slot’s side boosted their chances of automatic qualification for the last 16 with a commanding away performance.
Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, cleverly rolling a free-kick under the Marseille wall to atone for his penalty miss in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.
The lead was doubled in the second half when Jeremie Frimpong beat his man inside the box and cut the ball back, with Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli diverting it into his own net.
Substitute Cody Gakpo sealed the win late on, finishing clinically from a Ryan Gravenberch pass. Mohamed Salah started for Liverpool for the first time since his explosive interview in December and his return from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt.
The forward went close to scoring but skewed a good chance wide after being played in by Gakpo. Marseille tested Alisson on a few occasions, but Liverpool largely controlled the contest. Hugo Ekitike also came close to adding to the scoreline when he struck the post in the second half.
The result, only Liverpool’s second win in six matches in all competitions, leaves Slot’s side well placed to finish inside the top eight and avoid the play-offs ahead of their final league-phase fixture against Qarabag at Anfield next week.
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard later praised Slot after the game. Gerrard told TNT Sports: “I’m really pleased for him. It can’t be easy when you’re under that pressure.
“His tactics were spot on tonight. He deserves a lot of praise and credit. He needs to stop mentioning low blocks. Low blocks have been happening against Liverpool since I was playing. That’s just the way it is.”
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