Szoboszlai free‑kick and late Gakpo strike send Liverpool through at Marseille

Liverpool beat Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome as Dominik Szoboszlai’s low free‑kick, an own goal forced by Jeremie Frimpong and a stoppage‑time strike from substitute Cody Gakpo secured a victory that put Arne Slot’s side into automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16.

The match saw Liverpool dominate on European soil, claiming their ninth win in 11 away European games. Szoboszlai’s set piece came after Leonardo Balerdi fouled Ryan Gravenberch and a VAR check cleared a possible handball by Timothy Weah; the midfielder swept the kick under goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli’s left‑hand post.

Frimpong’s low cross later trickled inside the far post via touches off Facundo Medina and Rulli, and Gravenberch’s late surge allowed Gakpo to finish in stoppage time. Marseille struggled in possession and made repeated mistakes that frustrated coach Roberto De Zerbi, while Liverpool pressed relentlessly and created the clearer chances.

Mohamed Salah returned to the starting lineup after the Africa Cup of Nations — Slot had earlier said, “Let’s see the lineup tomorrow if you still think there’s an issue” when asked about his relationship with Salah — and Joe Gomez deputised for the absent Ibrahima Konaté as Virgil van Dijk made his 350th appearance as captain.

Key Topics

Sports, Liverpool, Marseille, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Cody Gakpo