A European Reset Night as Liverpool Deliver in Marseille

Marseille 0-3 Liverpool – Champions League Postmortem

By Steven Smith

After a run of Premier League draws that drained belief rather than built momentum, Liverpool arrived in Marseille facing an altogether different examination. This was not about control through possession or pattern play. This was about temperament, bravery, and whether a fractured season still had substance beneath the noise. An intimidating Stade Vélodrome awaited, fuelled by expectation and hostility, but Liverpool delivered one of their most complete European away performances of the campaign.

The Starting Eleven

Liverpool XI

• GK – Alisson Becker

• RB – Jeremie Frimpong

• CB – Joe Gomez

• CB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

• LB – Milos Kerkez

• CM – Alexis Mac Allister

• CM – Ryan Gravenberch

• CM – Dominik Szoboszlai

• LW – Florian Wirtz

• CF – Cody Gakpo

• RW – Mohamed Salah

Substitutes

Curtis Jones → Florian Wirtz (79’)

Hugo Ekitike → Cody Gakpo (79’)

Goals

Marseille 0–1 Liverpool – Dominik Szoboszlai (Free kick) – 45+1’

Marseille 0–2 Liverpool – Gerónimo Rulli (OG) – 73’

Marseille 0–3 Liverpool – Cody Gakpo (Ryan Gravenberch) – 90+3’

Match Statistics

• Possession – Marseille 58% | Liverpool 42%

• XG – Marseille 0.88 | Liverpool 1.49

• Total Shots – Marseille 15 | Liverpool 11

• Fouls – Marseille 8 | Liverpool 12

• Corners – Marseille 7 | Liverpool 4

First Half

An intense opening period saw Marseille dominate territory, but not authority. Liverpool were compact, disciplined, and patient, refusing to be dragged into emotional exchanges. The back four held its line intelligently, with Gomez and Van Dijk absorbing pressure while Frimpong and Kerkez picked their moments to advance.

Liverpool’s midfield was key. Mac Allister slowed the game when needed, Gravenberch carried possession through pressure, and Szoboszlai covered ground relentlessly. Marseille had the ball, but Liverpool had the structure.

Just before the break came the moment that shifted the contest. With the home crowd rising behind a defensive wall, Szoboszlai drilled a free kick beneath jumping bodies and into the corner. It was brave, intelligent, and decisive. Liverpool went in ahead, silencing the stadium and flipping the psychology of the night.

Second Half

The restart brought Marseille urgency but little incision. Liverpool remained calm, managing zones rather than chasing moments. Alisson dealt confidently with anything that breached the defensive line, while Van Dijk’s authority grew with every clearance.

As Marseille pushed higher, space began to appear. Frimpong surged forward repeatedly, and one such drive led to the decisive second goal, Rulli turning into his own net under pressure. From there, Liverpool never lost control.

The substitutions were measured rather than reactive. Jones and Cody added energy and composure, allowing Liverpool to see the game out before Gravenberch’s late pass released Gakpo to finish clinically and seal the result.

Final Thoughts

Liverpool’s season is still fragile, but nights like this matter. This was not chaos football or desperation defending. It was controlled, disciplined, and mature. Every player understood their role, managed their zone, and respected the occasion.

In an environment designed to fracture confidence, Liverpool found clarity. Dominik Szoboszlai led from the front, but this was a collective statement. Whether it becomes a turning point remains to be seen, but for one night in Marseille, Liverpool looked like a team again.

Steven Smith’s Pre-Match Prediction:

Marseille 3 – 2 Liverpool