Dominik Szoboszlai scored a clever free-kick to open the scoring in Liverpool’s victory over Marseille.
Arne Slot hailed the intelligence of Dominik Szoboszlai to open the scoring in Liverpool’s victory over Marseille.
The Reds earned a 3-0 triumph at the Stade Velodrome to take a huge step towards the last 16 of the Champions League.
Liverpool were worthy winners but they had to wait until first-half stoppage-time to break the deadlock. It arrived through Szoboszlai’s clever free-kick as he opted to shoot low, anticipating that the Marseille wall would jump.
Reds goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero was responsible for spotting that the French side did not use a draught excluder - someone lying down to block any efforts that are attempted to go under the wall.
But seconds beforehand, Liverpool were adamant that they should have had a penalty for handball.
Speaking to LFCTV, Reds boss Slot said: “I think that’s one of the reasons why he is a quality player. Quality players are calm enough to recognise what’s being said to them in a moment like this but also in other moments when you need tactical discipline. You usually get players who are good enough or better than the level they are playing at.
“It was a moment from Dom, great work from Xavi as well. Although, I think it shouldn’t have been Dom who took that ball. It should have been Mo because it should have been a penalty. So many times this season, we have been on the wrong side of refereeing decisions and again tonight. I have also said so many times we should not rely on these wrong decisions and should still be able to win the game.
“That is really positive and I am 100 per cent sure it cannot go on like this with all these decisions that go against us. It will come a time when things go back to normal. In the meantime, we have to make sure we perform in the best possible way and that’s what we have done tonight.”
After Szoboszlai’s opener, Liverpool doubled their advantage midway through the second half via an own goal. Jeremie Frimpong did superbly to burst to the byline and pull back a cross, which was deflected by Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli into his own net. Then in stoppage-time, substitute Cody Gakpo put the gloss on the triumph with a composed finish.
Liverpool are up to fourth in the Champions League table and a win over Qarabag at Anfield next week will secure a spot in the last 16.
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