MARVELLOUS REDS SHINE BRIGHT IN MARSEILLE

Dominik Szoboszlai celebrating his goal to give the 1-0 lead in Marseille

Szoboszlai and Gakpo are on the scoresheet as Liverpool sweep past tricky Marseille at the Stade Velodrome to set up a likely top-eight finish.

Ultimately it was a dominant and impressive away European performance from Liverpool in Marseille to see off one of France’s best sides.

An inventive and smartly taken free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai set the Reds off the mark on the verge of half time, capitalising on the jumping wall. The Hungarian struck low underneath a Marseille wall without the traditional “draft excluder”,  to fire Arne Slot’s men in front going into the break.

It was a first half performance which the visitors attempted to exploit the home side’s frailties on the counter attack, the best of the chances came when Hugo Ekitike slotted past Rulli; however, after a VAR check, it was deemed that the French forward was offside.

It was not only the attack-minded players who provided positivity from the first period as Marseille’s solo shot in the first 45 was saved by Alisson.

Into the second period and both sides came out with the same approach, score the next goal. Marseille pushed further forward, committing more bodies into the final third and beginning to test the Liverpool goal. Key plays from Mason Greenwood and Amine Gouiri provided some inspiration for the home side in trying to find a leveller.

Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike came close again for the Reds when his right footed effort smashed off the right post, to once again denying the Frenchmen a spot on the scoresheet. Despite that, it was Liverpool who found the next goal, when Jeremie Frimpong’s gut-busting endeavour down the right flank, bore some productivity. The Dutchman’s persistence, opened up a byline cut back opportunity, which deflected into the home side’s net via goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli to double the Red’s lead.

Once again Marseille gave it a good go to find a way back into the game and substitutions were the watch word to try and alter the result. Both sides went to the bench to introduce some fresh legs. Former Arsenal striker, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang came off the bench to create an added time chance for the hosts, but once again Alisson was in the way.

However, it was Liverpool substitute Cody Gakpo who found the third and final goal to seal the victory for the visitors. A move which started with Gomez was beautifully linked up by Szoboszlai’s sumptuous back-heel, finding Gravenberch, who swept the ball towards Gakpo who added the finishing touch into the far right corner.

It was a display from the Reds that put to bed any pregame concerns. Ultimately passing a tough test with flying colours to set up a final game showdown to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase.

The result continues a 13-game unbeaten streak for Liverpool in all competitions, since a 4-1 home defeat to PSV in November.  As the captain put it, it’s “onto the next” for the Reds as a trip to Bournemouth on Saturday looms and a return to league action.