Marseille vs Liverpool Champions League action delivered a statement night for the Reds as they swept aside Olympique Marseille with a commanding 3-0 victory at the Stade Vélodrome on Wednesday night.
The result leaves Liverpool firmly on course for a place in the Champions League last 16, moving Arne Slot’s side up to fourth in the league-phase table with just one match remaining.
Marseille vs Liverpool Champions League: Slot’s men dominate in France
Liverpool set the tone early in a hostile atmosphere, absorbing pressure before striking clinically. The breakthrough arrived deep into first-half stoppage time when Dominik Szoboszlai caught Marseille goalkeeper Pau López off guard with a cleverly disguised free kick that slipped under the wall.
The goal shifted momentum decisively in Liverpool’s favour, especially after VAR ruled out what would have been an opening goal for former Red Hugo Ekitike. That moment proved crucial, and Marseille never fully recovered.
As explored previously in our tactical breakdown of Liverpool’s evolving approach under Arne Slot, the Reds are increasingly comfortable controlling games away from home — and that confidence was on full display here.
Szoboszlai, Frimpong and Gakpo seal convincing win
After the interval, Liverpool continued to press intelligently, forcing errors and stretching Marseille’s defensive structure. Ekitike hit the post shortly after the restart, but the second goal soon followed.
Jeremie Frimpong’s dangerous delivery into the box caused panic, forcing Marseille’s goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli into an unfortunate own goal to double Liverpool’s advantage.
That goal effectively ended the contest, though the visitors were far from finished. Cody Gakpo added a polished third in stoppage time after a swift counter-attack, calmly slotting home from Ryan Gravenberch’s incisive pass.
Defensive authority and midfield control
While the goals caught the headlines, Liverpool’s defensive discipline was just as impressive. Captain Virgil van Dijk, making his 350th appearance for the club, marshalled the back line superbly alongside Joe Gomez, neutralising Marseille’s attacking threats.
The midfield trio controlled possession and dictated tempo, ensuring Marseille struggled to build sustained pressure. As detailed in our earlier piece on Liverpool’s ability to break down different defensive systems, this adaptability has become a defining feature of Slot’s side.
What the win means for Liverpool’s Champions League hopes
This Marseille vs Liverpool Champions League victory places the Reds in an excellent position to secure automatic qualification for the knockout stages. A draw in their final league-phase match against Qarabag at Anfield would likely be enough to confirm a top-eight finish.
Arne Slot was understandably pleased after the match, emphasising his side’s maturity and game management. Liverpool are now unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions, a remarkable turnaround after an inconsistent start to the campaign.
Attention now briefly turns back to domestic matters, where Liverpool face a tricky Premier League encounter before resuming their European push.
Marseille left frustrated on European night
For Marseille, the night proved one of frustration. Despite early flashes of promise and strong backing from their home crowd, they lacked the cutting edge to trouble Alisson Becker seriously.
Missed chances and defensive lapses ultimately punished Roberto De Zerbi’s side, leaving them outside the qualification places with work to do in the final round of fixtures.
Final thoughts on Marseille vs Liverpool Champions League clash
This was a composed, ruthless and thoroughly professional performance from Liverpool. With momentum building and confidence growing under Arne Slot, the Reds appear well-equipped to challenge deep into the Champions League this season.
As European nights go, Marseille may not have enjoyed the occasion — but for Liverpool supporters, this was a performance to savour.
📌 Source: The Athletic
