Player Ratings: Dominik Szoboszlai shines as Liverpool smash Marseille

Player Ratings: Marseille 0-3 Liverpool

Liverpool continued their impressive European campaign with a commanding 3-0 win away at Marseille, taking a significant stride towards securing a top-eight finish in the opening phase of the Champions League. Arne Slot’s side were composed, ruthless when it mattered and defensively assured, producing a performance that felt both mature and controlled in a hostile Stade Velodrome.

The night did not begin without a moment of controversy. Hugo Ekitike thought he had given Liverpool an early lead when he turned home from close range, only for VAR to intervene and correctly rule the goal out for offside. It was a reminder that Marseille were willing to play on the edge, pressing high and trying to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm.

Yet once Liverpool settled, their technical quality began to tell. The breakthrough arrived on the stroke of half time and it was delivered in style. Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to a free kick and outfoxed the wall by driving the ball low into the corner, leaving Geronimo Rulli stranded. It was the type of moment that changes a match and confirmed Szoboszlai as the outstanding player on the pitch.

Szoboszlai sets the tone

The Hungarian was everywhere, drifting between lines, demanding possession and constantly pushing Marseille backwards. His free kick was not just a goal, it was a statement of intent from a player growing into a central figure in Slot’s system.

Marseille tried to respond after the interval. Mason Greenwood forced Alisson Becker into a sharp save from distance, briefly lifting the crowd. However, Liverpool never truly looked uncomfortable. Their second goal arrived through sustained pressure, with Jeremie Frimpong’s low cross causing chaos in the box. The ball eventually ended up in the net via Facundo Medina and was credited as an own goal by Rulli.

From that point, the outcome felt inevitable. Liverpool managed the game with intelligence, limiting Marseille to speculative efforts and keeping possession with confidence.

Photo: IMAGO

Clinical finish seals victory

In stoppage time, the result was put beyond doubt. Substitute Cody Gakpo was released into space and calmly curled his effort into the corner, rounding off a polished away performance. It was a goal that summed up Liverpool’s night, efficient, composed and decisive.

This win reinforces Liverpool’s credentials as genuine contenders in Europe under Slot. The balance between defensive solidity and attacking fluency looks increasingly natural, and with players like Szoboszlai and Van Dijk setting standards, Liverpool appear well equipped for the challenges ahead.

Player Ratings

Liverpool

Alisson Becker, 7Jeremie Frimpong, 7Joe Gomez, 8Virgil van Dijk, 8Milos Kerkez, 7Ryan Gravenberch, 6Alexis Mac Allister, 6Dominik Szoboszlai, 8Florian Wirtz, 7Mohamed Salah, 6Hugo Ekitike, 7

SubstitutesCody Gakpo, 7Curtis Jones, 6

ManagerArne Slot, 8