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Arne Slot’s Reds delivered one of their most complete European performances of the season on Wednesday night, sweeping aside Marseille with a commanding 3-0 win at a lively Orange Velodrome. A moment of brilliance from Dominik Szoboszlai just before half-time set the tone, before an unfortunate own goal and a late strike from Cody Gakpo sealed a deserved Champions League victory for Arne Slot’s side.
It was a night that mixed control, confidence, and cutting edge. Against a hostile atmosphere and an energetic Marseille team, Liverpool looked calm, mature, and ruthlessly efficient when it mattered most.
A Strong Liverpool Lineup With Salah Back Where He Belongs
There was a welcome boost before kick-off as Mohamed Salah returned to the starting XI after his Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt. His presence immediately lifted Liverpool’s attacking threat and composure in the final third.
Arne Slot made a few notable adjustments elsewhere. Joe Gomez stepped in for Ibrahima Konate at the back, while Alexis Mac Allister was handed a key role in midfield alongside Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch. Florian Wirtz operated between the lines, supporting Hugo Ekitike in attack, with Jeremie Frimpong and Salah providing width and pace. From the opening minutes, Liverpool looked well-drilled and confident in their structure.
Fast Start and Early Warning Signs
Both teams showed intent early on, but Liverpool were the sharper side in the opening exchanges. A Salah corner caused immediate problems for Marseille, finding Gomez unmarked in the box. The defender rose highest, but his header flashed just wide of the post.
Marseille responded with a brief spell of pressure, Benjamin Pavard trying to latch onto a dangerous ball into the area, only for Alisson Becker to read the situation perfectly and sweep up.
Liverpool soon took control of possession, moving the ball patiently and drawing Marseille out of shape. Mac Allister came close midway through the half after a clever dribble into the box, his low shot skimming inches past the far post. The warning signs were piling up.
VAR Denies Ekitike as Pressure Mounts
As Liverpool’s dominance grew, they thought they had broken the deadlock through Hugo Ekitike. A slick move down the right involving Salah and Szoboszlai carved Marseille open, allowing Ekitike to dart across his marker and slide the ball home. Celebrations were cut short as VAR intervened, ruling the goal out for offside. Replays showed the striker had moved just too early. It was a fine margin, but the right call.
Marseille briefly threatened from a set-piece situation, Amine Gouiri firing a fierce shot that forced Alisson into his first real save of the night. The Brazilian goalkeeper reacted sharply, pushing the ball clear with strong hands. Despite that moment, the pattern remained the same. Liverpool were in control and probing with purpose.
Szoboszlai Delivers a Moment of Magic
Just when it looked like the first half might end goalless, Liverpool found their breakthrough in stoppage time. After Salah had earlier guided a Frimpong cross over the bar, the Reds earned a free-kick around 20 yards from goal. Up stepped Dominik Szoboszlai.
With Marseille’s wall jumping, the Hungarian midfielder kept his composure and slid a clever low effort underneath them, wrong-footing goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and sending the travelling Liverpool fans into celebration. It was a goal that reflected Liverpool’s intelligence and confidence, and a deserved reward for their first-half control.
Second Half Brings More Intensity and Chances
Liverpool picked up right where they left off after the break. Wirtz and Ekitike combined neatly around the box, creating space for Wirtz to shoot, though his effort was blocked.
Marseille began to show more urgency, with Mason Greenwood testing Alisson from distance. The shot dipped awkwardly just before the goalkeeper, but Alisson handled it calmly.
Then came one of the best moments of the game for Ekitike. Sprinting into the box to meet a Szoboszlai pass, the striker hit a powerful first-time effort that smashed back off the post. It was unlucky, and Liverpool could have been two goals clear.
Almost immediately, Marseille broke on the counter. Greenwood burst down the right and picked out Hamed Traore in the box, but with Alisson to beat, the attacker fired over the bar. It was Marseille’s best chance of the night, and a reminder that the game was not yet done.
Liverpool Stay Calm and In Control
Liverpool responded well to that scare. Wirtz forced a save from Rulli with a low shot, while Ekitike continued to find space in dangerous areas, blazing another chance over the bar.
Defensively, Liverpool were solid. Virgil van Dijk produced a commanding block to deny Timothy Weah, showing leadership and composure at the back when Marseille tried to push forward. As the game entered the final 20 minutes, Liverpool’s patience paid off again.
Frimpong Forces the Decisive Second Goal
The second goal came from pure determination and quality on the right flank. Jeremie Frimpong drove past his defender and burst into the penalty area, drilling a low cross across the six-yard box.
Under pressure, Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli could only turn the ball into his own net. It was an unfortunate moment for the keeper, but fully deserved for Liverpool, who had consistently exploited space out wide. At 2-0, the game felt settled.
Alisson Shines Before Gakpo Seals It
Marseille refused to completely fold and nearly pulled one back in added time through substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Cutting in from the left, he shaped a dangerous shot toward the far corner, but Alisson was equal to it once again, pushing the effort away. Then came the final flourish.
In the 93rd minute, Ryan Gravenberch found substitute Cody Gakpo inside the area. Gakpo opened his body calmly and guided a low finish into the bottom corner, sealing a clinical 3-0 Champions League win. It was the perfect ending to a professional European night.
What This Win Means for Liverpool
This victory was about more than just three points. It showed Liverpool’s growing confidence under Arne Slot, their tactical discipline, and their ability to manage difficult away games in Europe.
Szoboszlai’s influence continues to grow, Salah’s return adds another layer of threat, and Alisson once again proved why he remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world. For Liverpool fans, this was a performance to savour. Controlled, intelligent, and ruthless when it mattered most. The Champions League nights are starting to feel special again.
Final score: Marseille 0-3 Liverpool
Goals: Szoboszlai, Rulli (own goal), Gakpo
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
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