With a 3-0 victory over Marseille on Wednesday, Liverpool made a significant step toward automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16.
The scoreline was glossed over in the second period thanks to a Geronimo Rulli own goal and Cody Gakpo’s strike, which was completed by Dominik Szoboszlai, who had just six games to go.
With a win over Azeri side Qarabag at Anfield next week, Arne Slot’s men, who are currently unbeaten in 13 matches, will move up to fourth place in the 36-team table.
Roberto De Zerbi’s OM’s surprisingly toothless display left them in 19th place and with work to do after their final league game against Club Brugge to advance to the knockout play-off round.
After being dropped off the bench by Slot before helping Egypt reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, Salah made his first start for Liverpool since November.
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The Egyptian claimed that the club had “under the bus” and that this was what caused him to be omitted from the squad for Inter Milan’s previous Champions League game.
Joe Gomez missed a chance to earn his long-awaited first senior goal when he headed wide from a corner at the Velodrome.
Hugo Ekitike was given a goal for offside after Alexis Mac Allister also made a close call for the visitors.
When Amine Gouiri forced Alisson to a diving save a few minutes later, Salah volleyed an effort from a Jeremie Frimpong cross onto the roof of the net.
Although Liverpool faced a penalty appeal for handball against Timothy Weah, they were denied the penalty kick that was awarded in the second half.
Szoboszlai, who was a substitute for Rulli in Marseille’s Premier League draw at the weekend, stepped up and swung the ball past Marseille goalkeeper Rulli.
Early in the second half, Alisson was successful with a long-range Mason Greenwood save. The home side displayed some promising signs.
Weah blazed over just seconds after a quick Marseille counter-attack, striking the crossbar just before the hour mark with only Rulli to beat.
Ekitike, a striker for France, hammered over another passable opportunity.
With 18 minutes left, Liverpool put the game to bed thanks to Frimpong’s outstanding wriggle to the byline before Rulli deflected his low cross into his own net.
Late in the game, Salah wasted a fantastic chance to score his first club goal in seven games, but substitute Gakpo did just that with a minute and a half to give Liverpool the third.
Source: Channels TV
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