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Liverpool strengthened their hopes of securing automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 with a commanding 3–0 win over Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.
Starting the night outside
the top eight in the league phase, Arne Slot’s side delivered a composed away performance to climb to fourth in the table, putting them in a strong position ahead of their final group match.
The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time when Dominik Szoboszlai redeemed his recent penalty miss by firing a clever low free-kick under the Marseille wall to beat Geronimo Rulli. It was a deserved reward for Liverpool’s control in the opening period.
Liverpool doubled their lead after the break in unfortunate circumstances for the hosts. Jeremie Frimpong burst into the box and cut the ball back across goal, with goalkeeper Rulli diverting it into his own net under pressure.
Substitute Cody Gakpo sealed the win late on, finishing clinically from a Ryan Gravenberch pass to cap a dominant display. Gravenberch was named Player of the Match after an influential performance in midfield.
Mohamed Salah, making his first start since returning from AFCON duty, was lively throughout and went close to scoring, while Hugo Ekitike struck the post as Liverpool continued to create chances.
Marseille tested Alisson sporadically but rarely looked capable of breaking down a well-organised Liverpool side.
The victory, only Liverpool’s second in six matches across all competitions, leaves them needing a win at home to Qarabag next week to guarantee a top-eight finish and avoid the play-off round. A top-four place, and the advantage of hosting second legs in the knockout rounds, is also now firmly within reach.
