Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick helps Liverpool secure Champions League Top 8 spot

Mohamed Salah returned to the starting XI after finishing fourth with Egypt at the AFCON. Joe Gomez partnered Virgil van Dijk in central defence, replacing Ibrahima Konate due to personal reasons. Liverpool controlled the first half and created several clear chances. One attack led to a 22nd-minute goal from Hugo Ekitike, but the strike was ruled out for offside.

Marseille also had opportunities but failed to convert. Just before the break, Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock with a low free-kick into the right corner, giving Liverpool a 1-0 lead at half-time.

Marseille increased the pressure after the restart, with Mason Greenwood forcing several saves from Alisson and missing narrowly on other occasions. Their missed chances proved costly in the 72nd minute, when Jeremie Frimpong drove forward from the right and attempted a cut-back. The ball deflected off goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli and went into the net.

With a two-goal advantage, Liverpool made changes to manage their energy levels. In stoppage time, Cody Gakpo added a third goal from Ryan Gravenberch’s assist to seal the win.

Szobozslai said after the match: “Yeah, I did my homework [about the free kick]. I got told that if no one is lying down maybe I can have a chance to hit it under the wall and no one was laying down so I tried it, and it worked out. It’s very good, I’m very happy. It’s really tough, we knew it before, especially with this team, with this coach [Roberto De Zerbi].

“We know what they are able to do and what he is able to do, we saw it in the Premier League when we played against Brighton [& Hove Albion]. But we knew, we were prepared and we take the three points.”

After seven matches, Liverpool sit fourth with 15 points from five wins and two defeats, level on points with Real Madrid but behind on goal difference. In the final Swiss Stage match, they will host Qarabag at Anfield, where a win would guarantee a Top 8 finish and avoid the play-offs.

Liverpool have now extended their winning run to 13 matches and will look to maintain that momentum against Bournemouth on Sunday.