Liverpool knack Marseille 3-0 for Orange Velodrome on Wednesday, put dem one step near to qualify for Champions League round of 16.
After 20 minutes wey dem play calm, Liverpool think say dem don get reward as Hugo Ekitike tap in Dominik Szoboszlai cross, but VAR show say Ekitike dey offside. No goal.
Szoboszlai no get assist for that one, but him score free kick just before half-time. Him clever strike under wall, ball sneak enter top-right post.
Ekitike nearly double Liverpool lead just before 60th minute after Szoboszlai play am through, but him shot hit woodwork. Wahala!
Jeremie Frimpong come force own goal from Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli with 20 minutes left. That goal settle matter for Liverpool.
Still time for Cody Gakpo to score third for stoppage time. Liverpool 3-0 Marseille. Liverpool dey 4th place with 15 points, Marseille dey 19th place with 9 points.
TPB Verdict
Liverpool dey under heavy pressure after four straight PL draws, but this win for Marseille boost their hope for Europe. Dem don show say dem fit handle Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Aston Villa this campaign without conceding, so dem fit do well for knockout stage.
Only 16 points dey needed to qualify automatically for round of 16 for 2024-25. Liverpool dey very close now. If dem beat Qarabag next week for Anfield, top 8 finish go confirm. Dem fit easy enter round of 16.
Marseille hardly create chances and dem deserve to lose. With only 3 points difference between them and 32nd-place Ajax, dem dey serious risk of elimination.
Marseille vs Liverpool Highlights
24th min: Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) goal disallowed
Mohamed Salah pass Szoboszlai on counter-attack, Hungarian cross inside box for Ekitike finish, but VAR call am offside. Ekitike just offside!
Dominik Szoboszlai goal vs Marseille (45+1 min, Marseille 0-1 Liverpool)
Szoboszlai line up free kick, strike smart under wall, ball sneak inside top-right corner. Genius move!
59th min: Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) shot
Joe Gomez play pass Szoboszlai, Szoboszlai return Ekitike through, but Ekitike shot hit frame of goal from edge of box. So close!
Geronimo Rulli own goal vs Marseille (73rd min, Marseille 0-2 Liverpool)
Frimpong rush inside box from right, nobody fit catch am, him play low cross wey bounce off Rulli and enter net. Wah! Outstanding from Frimpong!
Cody Gakpo goal vs Marseille (90+3 min, Marseille 0-3 Liverpool)
Liverpool counter late, Ryan Gravenberch find Gakpo inside box, winger cut in from left and place ball bottom-right corner. Excellent move, excellent goal!
Man of the Match – Dominik Szoboszlai
After some rough weeks, Szoboszlai shine again. Him score free kick, make six recoveries (joint most for Liverpool outfield players) and play key role both ends of pitch. True MVP.
Marseille vs Liverpool Match Stats
Possession: Marseille 58% – 42% Liverpool
Shots: Marseille 15 – 11 Liverpool
Shots on Target: Marseille 4 – 3 Liverpool
Corners: Marseille 7 – 4 Liverpool
Fouls: Marseille 8 – 12 Liverpool
Wetin Next?
Marseille go host Lens for Ligue 1 on Saturday, then dem go play last Champions League game on January 28 vs Club Brugge.
Liverpool go face Bournemouth for Premier League on Saturday, then take on Qarabag for Europe on Wednesday.
