Liverpool cruise in Marseille as Szoboszlai steals the spotlight

Szoboszlai shines as Liverpool take control

Mohamed Salah’s return to the Liverpool starting XI was meant to be the headline, but it was Dominik Szoboszlai who stole the show as the Reds eased to a commanding 3–0 Champions League win away at Marseille. The result leaves Liverpool well placed for a top-eight finish and avoided any late drama in a hostile environment.

All eyes were on Salah, making his first start since late November, but it was his close friend and midfield partner who delivered the decisive moment of the first half. In first-half added time, Szoboszlai surprised everyone by stepping up to take a free-kick that looked tailor-made for Salah’s left foot. Instead, the Hungarian drilled a clever low shot under the wall and inside the post to give Liverpool the lead.

Salah returns but influence feels reduced

Salah operated alongside Hugo Ekitike in a narrow 4-2-2-2 system, with Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz playing as twin creators behind them. The role suited Salah in theory, keeping him closer to goal and easing his defensive workload, but his impact was limited.

He glanced one effort onto the roof of the net, was spared embarrassment by an offside flag after missing a header, and then squandered his clearest chance by firing wide with only Gerónimo Rulli to beat. While he linked well with teammates after a month away, this performance underlined a growing reality: Liverpool no longer revolve around him.

Second-half goals kill the contest

Marseille showed brief signs of life after the break, with Alisson Becker forced into saves from Amine Gouiri and Mason Greenwood. Any momentum the hosts were building disappeared when Jeremie Frimpong’s dangerous cross deflected in off Rulli to double Liverpool’s advantage.

The visitors continued to threaten on the break, with Ekitike hitting the post and Wirtz forcing another sharp save. Cody Gakpo added a late third in stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt and cap a dominant European away display.

Liverpool’s press, composure and control were decisive, and once again it was Szoboszlai who set the tone on a night where Salah was no longer the main event.