Marseille 0-3 Liverpool: Reds boost hopes of Champions League knockout with win in France

English side, Liverpool, climbed up to fourth in the Uefa Champions League 2025/26 table with a beautiful 3-0 triumph over French side, Marseille, at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday 21 January, 2026.

Dutch head coach, Arne Slot’s Reds kicked off the game outside the all-important top eight (8) spots, however, bolstered their chances of progressing straight into the round of 16 thanks to a commanding away display.

After Hugo Ekitike’s goal was struck out by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the 23rd minute, Dominic Szoboszlai fired a fine free-kick under the Marseille wall to open the scoring for the visitors in first-half stoppage time as he dropped his penalty miss in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley behind him.

The second goal came when Jeremie Frimpong beat his man in the Marseille box before releasing a cut-back which was diverted into the back of his own net by Geronimo Rulli, Marseille goalkeeper.

And, in the 3rd minute of additional time, substitute Cody Gakpo, converted an assist from Ryan Gravenberch to add the third for Liverpool; the goal was clinical from the Dutch forward on a night when Slot decided to start Egyptian forward, Mohamed Salah.

Salah returned to action for Liverpool after representing his country, Egypt, at the recently concluded Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) 2025 hosted in Morocco.

Egypt finished fourth in the tournament after losing to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the third place in a penalty shootout 4-2; Salah and Manchester City forward, Omar Marmoush, had their penalties stopped by Nigeria goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali.

Salah would have recorded his name on the scoresheet for Liverpool on Wednesday night in Marseille, but, his shot went wide.

The home side tested Reds goalkeeper, Allison, on several occasions, but, the Reds were in control of the showdown.

The victory in France means Liverpool have won just two (2) games out of six (6) games in all competitions, but, the Reds are in a comfortable position to finish in the Uefa Champions League top eight (8), and avoid a two-legged Play-off.

Liverpool will face Qarabag FK in their last League Phase match next week. A must win for the Reds to finish in the top four (4).

Result:

Arne Slot’s post-Marseille comments to TNT Sports:

The Liverpool manager said: “It is a tricky place to go, because of their fans, but definitely also because of the players they have and the manager they have. They have always a very good idea of how to play.

“We had to be really good today to beat them, and I think that’s what we were.

“In the last 14 games where we’ve been unbeaten, we’ve only been behind for 54 minutes. In all the other games, we gave away that lead somewhere during the game.

“But today we probably deserved what we got and we weren’t as unlucky as we’ve been so many times this season.”

Photo: Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring for Liverpool against Marseille