Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a standout performance, earning a high rating in Liverpool’s dominant 3-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League. Mohamed Salah’s return to the starting lineup saw him struggle to find his usual impact, a stark contrast to the brilliance displayed by his teammates.
The Reds secured a commanding win at the Orange Velodrome, propelling them into the top eight of the league phase. Szoboszlai’s audacious free-kick broke the deadlock just before half-time, setting the tone for a memorable European night for Arne Slot’s side.
Featured snippet paragraph: The answer to why Liverpool won against Marseille is largely due to their strong offensive pressure and key individual performances. Dominik Szoboszlai’s expertly taken free-kick opened the scoring, followed by an own goal from Jeremie Frimpong and a late finish from Cody Gakpo, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Liverpool extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to 13 games, demonstrating a consistent level of performance. Slot will be keen for his team to maintain this composure as they prepare to face Bournemouth this weekend.
Alisson Becker, rated an 8, was a commanding presence in goal, keeping a clean sheet with confident handling and making crucial saves, particularly from Amine Gouiri and Mason Greenwood.
Jeremie Frimpong, also earning an 8, was effective in both attack and defense, consistently delivering crosses and playing a pivotal role in Liverpool’s second goal. He was a constant nuisance for the Marseille defense.
Joe Gomez, a 7, showed composure at the back, forming a solid defensive partnership with Virgil van Dijk and effectively neutralizing many of Marseille’s attacking threats.
Virgil van Dijk, rated 7, had a relatively quiet game but remained in control, dealing effectively with threats like Timothy Weah and making timely interceptions.
Milos Kerkez, awarded an 8, stood his ground well against Marseille’s talisman Mason Greenwood, delivering a classy defensive display despite occasional lapses in offensive delivery.
Ryan Gravenberch, a 7, contributed to the midfield’s fluidity and won the crucial free-kick that led to Liverpool’s opening goal. He also provided an assist for Cody Gakpo.
Alexis Mac Allister, rated 7, was involved in fluid attacking play and linked up well with the forwards, continuing to initiate attacks throughout the match.
Dominik Szoboszlai, the highest-rated player with a 9, was exceptional. He contributed defensively, made excellent runs, and scored a perfectly executed free-kick on his 100th start for the club. He also played a key role in the final goal.
Mohamed Salah, rated 6, had a quiet return from the Africa Cup of Nations. While he showed flashes of brilliance with a pass to Ekitike and a near-goal, he lacked his usual clinical edge in front of goal.
Florian Wirtz, a 6, appeared timid and lacked sharpness. His first touches were often mistimed, and he missed a decent chance set up by Ekitike.
Hugo Ekitike, rated 7, was unlucky not to score, hitting the post and having a goal disallowed for offside. He posed a significant offensive threat and provided clever passes.
Substitutes Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo both made positive contributions. Gakpo, in particular, sealed the victory with a tidy finish in injury-time.
