By Steven Northover

Liverpool are now three points away from qualifying for the Knockout Stages of the Champions League, after a confident and convincing win over a potentially difficult Marseille.
The build up to the match was awash with rumours and theories about the future of manager Arne Slot, especially after Xabi Alonso's sacking at Real Madrid. There were also serious questions about whether Liverpool were able to see our matches, following a drab 1-1 draw with relegation fodder Burnley at the weekend.
So it seemed like it probably wasn't the best time to play a Marseille side sitting third in Ligue 1. As it turned out, this was probably the most confident Liverpool have played all season.

Match Review

Lining up in a 4-2-2-2 formation, with the returning Mo Salah (who pre-match, had made it clear that he did not require a rest following his loss in the final of the African Cup of Nations) started up front with the ever threatening Hugo Ekitike. His more central role allowed more room for Jeremie Frimpong, in his best performance for the club so far, to play more as an attacking wingback where he marauded along the right of the pitch and causing a number of problems for the opposition defenders.

Ultimately, to a player, the entire team was able to reach a level that hasn't been seen this season. Even when Liverpool looked like they were slipping to their habit of letting the opposition back into the match during the second half, the defence - with Joe Gomez partnering Virgil Van Dijk - were largely able to reduce the Marseille attack to long shots from outside of the area.

Credit: Liverpool FC

With that said, not for the first time, special mention should go to Dominik Szoboszlai. Once again, the Hungarian put in a performance which drove Liverpool forward towards their deserved victory - scoring the first goal on a clever Freekick that would have seemed extremely unlikely just a few weeks ago. Taking advantage of a weak Marsialle wall, the number 8 smashed an old fashioned ‘daisy cutter' shot along the ground, and into the bottom right hand
side of the net. It was just deserts for a Liverpool side who had already all but silenced a hostile home crowd, long before the first goal. Hugo Ekitike was unfortunate to have just stayed offside on 23 minutes, for what would have been his first goal in Europe since October, but it underlined Liverpool's impressive dominance throughout the match.

Credit: The Irish Independent

Momentum to Carry

Credit: Standard

Postmatch, manager Arne Slot made special praise of the returning Mohammed Salah:
“It says a lot about how big a professional he is that he can be away for more than a month with
a different team and be so fit to play 90 for us after one day’s training.”

But Salah's importance to Liverpool is well documented by this point. Last night represented what a Liverpool side that isn't so dependent on the legendary winger can do. As important as his introduction was, the fact he didn't score or assist had no effect on the outcome of a match that initially looked like it could have been very difficult for the Reds. Instead, fans and opposition can look upon a team that seems to have its mojo back, at least for now.

There will be more challenges to come, Newcastle United and Manchester City are up next, but this was a very confident performance from a team that seemed bereft of it in recent weeks. So, as the season enters its second phase, Liverpool seem to be finally finding their feet (albeit being unbeaten in now 13 games), just as the season starts to get interesting.