Szoboszlai’s free-kick lifts Liverpool on night of Salah return in Marseille

⚽ Goal Breakdown

⚽ Dominik Szoboszlai – 45+1’ – Liverpool
⚽ Gerónimo Rulli (own goal) – 72’ – Marseille (forced by Liverpool)
⚽ Cody Gakpo – 90+3’ – Liverpool

Szoboszlai’s Moment Sets the Tone as Salah Returns in Style

Liverpool produced one of their most composed European displays of the season as they defeated Marseille 3-0 at the Stade Vélodrome, strengthening their grip on automatic qualification for the Champions League knockout rounds. On a night that also marked Mohamed Salah’s first Liverpool start in weeks, Arne Slot’s side blended patience with cutting edge to silence one of Europe’s most intimidating atmospheres.

From the opening exchanges, Liverpool looked unfazed by the noise inside the Velodrome. Their midfield diamond allowed them to dominate central areas, with Szoboszlai and Mac Allister dictating tempo while Salah drifted into dangerous pockets rather than hugging the touchline. Marseille pressed high but found little joy as Liverpool passed through the first line with confidence.

The breakthrough arrived just before half-time and owed everything to invention and nerve. From 25 yards out, Szoboszlai noticed the Marseille wall preparing to jump and calmly rolled his free-kick beneath it into the corner. It was the kind of finish that shifted momentum instantly, quietening the home crowd and giving Liverpool full control of the contest.

Salah’s Return Brings Balance, Not Goals

Although Salah did not find the net, his influence was unmistakable. The Egyptian worked tirelessly between the lines, stretching Marseille’s back four and opening spaces for Frimpong and Kerkez to surge forward from full-back. His sharp movement led to two clear chances, including a late effort that drifted wide, but his overall contribution brought fluidity and control to Liverpool’s attack.

After the match, Arne Slot praised Salah’s professionalism, noting how seamlessly he reintegrated after his international absence. “If there’s one player in Liverpool’s history who can score goals, it’s Mo Salah,” Slot said, “and tonight he gave us everything even without scoring.”

Second-Half Control and Ruthless Finishing

Marseille began the second half with renewed energy and tested Alisson from range, but Liverpool’s composure never wavered. Szoboszlai continued to pull the strings, twice releasing Ekitike into dangerous positions, one of which ended with the ball crashing against the post.

The second goal came through persistence rather than finesse. Frimpong burst beyond his marker on the right and fired a low cross into the box, where goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli could only divert the ball into his own net under pressure. At that moment, Marseille’s resistance faded.

Liverpool sealed the contest deep into stoppage time. A swift counterattack saw Gravenberch drive forward before slipping the ball into Gakpo’s path, and the substitute made no mistake with a precise finish into the corner to complete a commanding performance.

A Statement of Control in Europe

The victory extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run in all competitions and underlined their growing confidence away from home in Europe. More importantly for Slot, it showed how effective his side can be when games remain open and opponents refuse to sit deep.

With Szoboszlai’s authority in midfield and Salah’s sharp return adding balance to the forward line, Liverpool left Marseille not just with three points, but with renewed momentum at a critical stage of their campaign.