Dominik Szoboszlai shines, but 4/10 star lets side down – Liverpool player ratings vs Marseille
Liverpool emerged with a vital 3-0 win in the Champions League against Marseille to boost their chances of finishing in the top eight of the league stage.
Liverpool thought they had drawn first blood at the Stade Velodrome as Hugo Ekitike tapped in from close range in the 23rd minute, but his opener was ruled out for offside by VAR.
Arne Slot’s side did go 1-0 up before the break, as Dominik Szoboszlai‘s clever free kick went under the Marseille wall and past Geronimo Rulli.
Marseille’s Hamed Traore wasted a fine chance to equalise on the hour mark as a blistering counter-attack ended at his feet when his first-time shot was blazed over the bar.
The Reds made sure of the win 10 minutes later, though, as keeper Rulli deflected Jeremie Frimpong‘s low cross into his own net.
Mo Salah returned from AFCON this week to make his first Reds start in five weeks, and he had a great opportunity to make it three late on, but somehow struck his shot well wide.
Substitute Cody Gakpo did make it 3-0 in added-time after being left unmarked inside the area, and that was how it finished on a great night for the visitors.
Dominik Szoboszlai – Man of the match
Szoboszlai’s blunder saw Liverpool concede against Barnsley in the FA Cup last week, and he also missed a penalty against Burnley on Saturday as Slot’s side dropped points at Anfield.
His form has been patchy this season, but this was one of his finer ones as his excellent opener gave the Reds the lead they so desperately craved.
It was a moment of genius from the Hungarian as he caressed the ball under the hosts’ cluster of players, and he rarely put a foot wrong all evening while attacking or defending.
Szoboszlai emerged from the 2-0 win with much more credit than his last couple of performances, and a nine out of 10 rating.
Wirtz dismal despite strong Reds showing
Football Insider chose Wirtz as Liverpool’s man of the match against Burnley last time out, but he failed to follow up his goal in that match with a decent performance in the south of France.
Wirtz’s Liverpool form has seriously improved in recent weeks, yet he never truly got into proceedings against Marseille, with no chances created and just five touches in the hosts’ penalty area.
The German playmaker won just two of his seven attempted duels throughout the game, before he was taken off for Curtis Jones in the 79th minute, hence why he earns a four out of 10 rating.
Liverpool player ratings in 2-0 win over Marseille
- Alisson – 7
- Jeremie Frimpong – 8
- Virgil van Dijk – 7
- Joe Gomez – 7
- Milos Kerkez – 8
- Ryan Gravenberch – 7
- Alexis Mac Allister – 7
- Dominic Szoboszlai – 9
- Mo Salah – 6
- Florian Wirtz – 4
- Hugo Ekitike – 7
Substitutes:
- Cody Gakpo (on for Ekitike 79′) – 7
- Curtis Jones (on for Wirtz 79′) – 6