Liverpool bested Marseille 3-0 on Wednesday evening in the Champions League as Arne Slot’s bold call was vindicated by the result
Given Marseille’s recent record, Liverpool might have expected fireworks on and off the pitch when they travelled to the French port city on Wednesday evening.
However, on the pitch and at the famous port where English fans battled Russians at Euro 2016, it started as a flat affair – that was until Dominik Szoboszlai produced a moment of magic, cleverly rolling the ball beneath a jumping Marseille wall to break the deadlock.
The second half then opened up into a breathless, end-to-end contest. Liverpool remained the superior side, though Mason Greenwood carried a threat for the hosts and had chances to pull Marseille back into the game.
The Reds were open, and Marseille had chances when they were able to isolate 2 vs 2 breaks. However, the cavalry arrived off the bench to tighten up the midfield.
And as the game crept past 70 minutes, the Reds had breathing space thanks to small element of luck. Jeremie Frimpong used his blistering pace to get to the byline cut the ball back.
It took a nick off former Manchester City keeper Geronimo Rulli and rolled into the net. And there was still time for Cody Gakpo to add a third, with the final kick of the game.
And the three points, which has catapulted the Reds into the top four of the table with 15 points, justifying Slot’s decision to include Mohamed Salah.
Salah was back on Merseyside following his extended break with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Ahead of his trip to Morocco, Slot and Salah had butted horns following the Egyptian’s bombshell comments.
Salah claimed someone was throwing him under the bus and he didn’t know if that weekend’s game with Brighton would be his last at Anfield.
However, time appears to heal all wounds, and Salah’s was fantastic on Wednesday – offering an extra dimension to the Reds’ attack. Liverpool, who have started to pick up form in his absence, looked bolstered by his return.
It was also a change at the back for the Reds, they still looked caught short in the middle of the back – but the back four were solid throughout the game.
Qarabag await on the final matchday, and they have one foot in the top eight of the table.