Dominik Szoboszlai (C) scored the opening purpose with a free-kick as Liverpool edged nearer to the Champions League final 16. Photograph:
MARSEILLE:
Liverpool took an enormous step in the direction of computerized qualification for the Champions League final 16 on Wednesday as Mohamed Salah returned in a 3-0 victory at Marseille.
Dominik Szoboszlai put the six-time European champions forward on the stroke of half-time earlier than a Geronimo Rulli personal purpose and Cody Gakpo strike added gloss to the scoreline within the second interval.
“We at all times hold saying it after a win or a very good outcome,” captain Virgil van Dijk informed TNT Sports activities of Liverpool’s makes an attempt to construct momentum in a troublesome season to date for the Premier League winners.
“Totally concentrate on restoration every now and then we go to Bournemouth (on Saturday) and so they’re exhausting to beat. We have now to be greater than prepared. We fly again tomorrow. On to the subsequent.”
Arne Slot’s males, now unbeaten in 13 matches, climbed to fourth within the 36-team desk and can safe a top-eight end with a win over Azeri aspect Qarabag at Anfield subsequent week.
“Individuals can see what a squad we’ve,” mentioned Slot when requested about avoiding the two-legged knockout play-off spherical.
“We have now three gamers out with accidents and we already haven’t got the dimensions of squad that our opponents have, so it is vital we do not play these video games.”
A surprisingly toothless show from Roberto De Zerbi’s OM left them in nineteenth and with work to do at Membership Brugge of their ultimate league match to succeed in the knockout play-off spherical.
Salah made his first begin for Liverpool since November, after being dropped to the bench by Slot earlier than serving to Egypt attain the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.
The Egyptian accused the membership of throwing him “underneath the bus” which led to him being not noted of the squad for his or her earlier Champions League sport at Inter Milan.
Szoboszlai breaks impasse
The Reds began brightly on the Velodrome, with Joe Gomez lacking an opportunity to finish his lengthy anticipate a maiden senior purpose when he headed a nook huge.
Alexis Mac Allister additionally went shut for the guests, earlier than Hugo Ekitike had a purpose dominated out for offside.
Marseille had been denied a couple of minutes later when Amine Gouiri pressured Alisson right into a diving save, whereas Salah flicked an effort on the different finish onto the roof of the web from a Jeremie Frimpong cross.
Liverpool had a penalty enchantment for handball in opposition to Timothy Weah waved away, however they took the lead in first-half added time from a free-kick given for a foul later in the identical transfer.
Szoboszlai, who missed a penalty in a Premier League draw with Burnley on the weekend, stepped as much as sweep the ball underneath a leaping wall and previous Marseille goalkeeper Rulli.
The house aspect confirmed some promising indicators early within the second half, with Alisson saving properly from a long-range Mason Greenwood shot.
Ekitike struck the crossbar simply earlier than the hour mark with solely Rulli to beat and Weah blazed over simply seconds later after a fast Marseille counter-attack.
France striker Ekitike continued to overlook probabilities, hammering one other presentable alternative over.
However Liverpool put the sport to mattress with 18 minutes to play as Frimpong did brilliantly to wriggle to the byline earlier than his low cross was deflected into his personal web by Rulli.
Salah handed up a wonderful alternative to attain his first membership purpose in seven matches late on, however substitute Gakpo did seize Liverpool’s third on the evening within the final minute of harm time.
