UEFA Champions League — Salah struggles, but Liverpool overtakes Marseille with a 3-0 win

Liverpool defeated Olympique de Marseille with a 3-0 win away on Wednesday to extend their unbeaten run to thirteen matches in all competitions and move one step closer to direct qualification for the round of 16 of the Champions League.

Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo in both halves and an own goal from Geronimo Rulli lifted Arne Slot’s team to 15 points, putting them well inside the top eight ahead of the final round of matches. Despite the defeat, Marseille remains in the hunt for a play-off spot on nine points.

The Ligue 1 side sit 19th in the table and travel to Club Brugge in their final group match, where a positive result is needed to keep their European campaign alive, while fourth-placed Liverpool will host Qarabag knowing another win would secure their place in the last 16.

Liverpool looked sharp as they continued their recovery from a difficult period earlier this season, while Marseille once again showed their limitations on the biggest stage.

AS IT HAPPENED: Marseille vs Liverpool Highlights, UEFA Champions League 2025-26

«It’s always difficult to play against (Roberto) De Zerbi’s teams because if you’re not up front they can play quite easily,» said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who made his 350th appearance for the club.

«They keep playing and taking risks, so if you win the ball between the lines you have a chance. I’m happy with the team, everyone did their best,» the Dutch centre-back added, before warning of the dangers of Saturday’s Premier League opponents Bournemouth.

«We always say that after a win or a good result we have to keep the momentum. But Bournemouth are a difficult team to beat, play very good football and we have to be more than ready. We will «recover and go again.»

In the bottom half of the 36-team league, Marseille continued to ponder the gap between itself and its opponent.

«It is difficult, they played a good match, we were not good in the first half. We did our best, but it is very tough, they are used to playing like that,» said Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi.

«You can’t see it from outside the field, but it is very tough.»

Mohamed Salah made his first start since November as Liverpool lined up with Joe Gomez at centre-back in the absence of Ibrahima Konate, who missed the match due to personal reasons.

Marseille come into the match having gone 30 Champions League games without a draw, while Liverpool also had no stalemate in their previous 27 games, the two longest streaks in the competition’s history.

FREE KICK UNDER THE WALL

Arne Slot’s Liverpool controlled much of the cagey opening half but lacked some edge in the final third. Salah went close when Jeremy Frimpong found him at the near post, but the striker lifted his effort over the bar.

Marseille threatened in flashes. Mason Greenwood’s free kick was headed away to Amine Gouiri, who fired home with a powerful effort and forced a great save from Alisson Becker.

The visiting team then thought they had scored through Hugo Ekitike, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

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Liverpool struck on the stroke of half-time when Szoboszlai sent a low free-kick under the wall to give the Reds a deserved lead.

Marseille injected some life into the game after the break but it was clearly second best and Liverpool doubled their tally in the 73rd minute when Frimpong’s low cutback took a deflection off goalkeeper Rulli and rolled into the net for an own goal.

Liverpool then scored a third goal three minutes into extra time when Szoboszlai’s deft tap released Ryan Gravenberch, who set up a calm finish for Gakpo.

Published on January 22, 2026