A crucial victory for Liverpool: Dominik Szoboszlai’s brilliant free-kick propels their Champions League ambitions forward
Liverpool made a significant leap in the Champions League group standings by securing a commanding 3-0 victory away against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome. Moving up to fourth place in the table, this result enhances their chances of directly reaching the knockout stage without the need for an additional playoff round.
Initially, Arne Slot’s team found themselves outside the coveted top eight spots, but their resilient and confident performance on foreign soil turned the tide in their favor. The match’s pivotal moment arrived just before halftime when Dominik Szoboszlai executed a smartly placed free-kick beneath the Marseille wall, netting the opening goal and effectively silencing doubt after a missed penalty in the previous Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.
Player Ratings & Highlights:
- Marseille’s players struggled to make an impact, with Rulli, Murillo, Balerdi, Medina, Pavard, and Gouiri all receiving ratings of 5. The slightly more engaged Hojbjerg, Weah, Kondogbia, Greenwood, and Traore all earned scores of 6. Substitutes Aubameyang, Nadir, and Paixao also contributed modestly.
- Liverpool’s lineup was more impressive. Alisson and Kerkez both scored 7s, Van Dijk and Gomez achieved 8s, while Frimpong, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Salah, and Ekitike all garnered 7s, with Gravenberch standing out with an 8. Gakpo and Jones were solid substitutes, earning 7 and 6 respectively.
- The standout player, accordingly, was Ryan Gravenberch, recognized as the Man of the Match.
The match's second goal was a fortunate own goal, when Jeremie Frimpong, after beating his opponent in the Marseille penalty area, delivered a cross that was inadvertently diverted into the net by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. Later, Cody Gakpo added a third—sealed by a precise finish from Gravenberch’s pass on the closing moments, securing Liverpool’s victory.
Remarkably, Mohamed Salah, after a controversial interview that cast doubt over his future last December, was reinstated into the starting lineup for the first time since then. He played the full match, showcasing his professionalism. Salah also had opportunities to score; he was unfortunate to miss a chance that he would usually convert, after being set up by Gakpo. Despite Marseille testing Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson on several occasions—most notably when Ekitike hit the crossbar with an early second-half shot—Liverpool maintained control throughout the game, with their defense and midfield performing admirably.
Insights from Liverpool's Coach Arne Slot:
- Slot praised the team’s resilience and skill, emphasizing the difficulty of playing at Marseille due to their passionate fans and talented roster. He highlighted that Liverpool had to be at their very best to secure this win and acknowledged their recent unbeaten streak and their narrow periods of being behind during matches.
- Regarding Salah’s return, Slot expressed high regard for his professionalism and fitness, noting that even after a month away, Salah was well-prepared to contribute fully.
Analysis: Is Szoboszlai Now the Cornerstone Over Salah?
While Salah’s return signals he still holds a pivotal role this season, Dominik Szoboszlai has arguably become Liverpool’s offensive talisman. After a challenging week where Szoboszlai missed a penalty against Burnley and gifted Barnsley a goal in the FA Cup, he demonstrated leadership and confidence by stepping up to take the free-kick that opened the scoring. His strike, the fourth in just seven Champions League games, exemplifies his growing influence.
Szoboszlai’s performance on the night cements his reputation as a key player. Taking over free-kick responsibilities following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure, Szoboszlai has become integral to Liverpool’s attacking repertoire, often involved in their most threatening moments. His consistent contribution—scoring and assisting—points to a rising star who commands the team’s set-piece play.
Key Statistics:
- Szoboszlai became the first Liverpool player to net multiple free-kicks in a single season since Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 2022/23 campaign.
- He has directly contributed to goals in his last five Champions League matches (4 goals and 2 assists).
- Mohamed Salah has now made 88 appearances in major European competitions for Liverpool, tying him with Ian Callaghan for the club’s fifth-highest appearance tally. Only Jamie Carragher (130) and Steven Gerrard (111) have featured more.
- Liverpool’s away form in the Champions League group stage is formidable: six wins out of eight matches since last season, equaling Arsenal’s record.
Looking Ahead:
- Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures are crucial as they aim to secure their spot in the knockout phase and maintain their strong European form.
- Anticipate more moments of brilliance from players like Szoboszlai and Salah, who continue to shape Liverpool’s journey in this campaign.
Final Thoughts:
This victory not only boosts Liverpool’s standings but also demonstrates the importance of resilience, individual skill, and tactical discipline at the highest level of competition. But here's where it gets controversial—should Szoboszlai be considered Liverpool’s new linchpin over Salah, or does Salah still have the leadership and goal-scoring prowess to reclaim his spot as the team’s primary star? Your opinion matters—do you agree with the rising influence of Szoboszlai, or does Salah still hold the crown? Let us know in the comments!
