Liverpool climbed to fourth place in the UEFA Champions League table with a 3-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome, extending their unbeaten run to thirteen games across all competitions, with seven wins and six draws.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille side welcomed the six-time European champions after Liverpool had scored fourteen goals in their previous two matches. Arne Slot’s team started strongly, nearly breaking the deadlock when Alexis Mac Allister’s right-footed effort went just wide of the post. Hugo Ekitike thought he had opened the scoring moments later, but his strike was ruled out for offside following Dominik Szoboszlai’s precise cross.
Marseille struggled to create clear chances in the first half, with Mason Greenwood delivering a free-kick that Amine Gouiri connected with, forcing a strong two-handed save from Alisson. The breakthrough came for Liverpool when Szoboszlai’s free-kick slipped under Marseille’s jumping wall and found the back of the net, beating Gerónimo Rulli at his near post. This marked the Hungarian’s sixth goal contribution in his last five Champions League appearances, with four goals and two assists.
The second half saw Liverpool take control of the match. Greenwood twice came close to scoring, with his first effort saved by Rulli and the second deflected narrowly wide. Marseille also had opportunities, with Ekitike hitting the woodwork and Hamed Traorè firing over after a counter-attack.
Liverpool secured their second goal in the 72nd minute, courtesy of Jeremie Frimpong, whose ball across the face of goal was inadvertently turned home by Rulli. Cody Gakpo added a third for the Reds after being set up by Ryan Gravenberch, rounding off a strong performance.
The victory keeps Liverpool on track for automatic qualification to the Champions League round of 16. Marseille will now aim to secure a play-off spot when they face Club Brugge in matchday eight, following their fourth consecutive defeat in the competition.
