Both still eyeing automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16, Marseille and Liverpool lock horns at a raucous Orange Vélodrome on Wednesday evening in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the league phase.
Les Olympiens come into the contest chasing a third consecutive European victory, while Liverpool, despite their strong continental form, are looking to steady the ship after another frustrating domestic result.
For Liverpool, the Champions League has often served as a welcome escape from an increasingly awkward Premier League campaign. Arne Slot’s side have enjoyed several memorable European nights this season, from dispatching the Madrid giants to producing another statement performance away at San Siro.
The Reds arrived for their matchday six encounter with Inter Milan as underdogs, yet defied expectations to secure a crucial 1-0 win courtesy of a Dominik Szoboszlai penalty. That result left the reigning Premier League champions firmly in the hunt for a top-eight finish, level on points and goal difference with Atletico Madrid, but narrowly behind Diego Simeone’s men due to goals scored. Real Madrid and Inter also sit on 12 points, underlining how fine the margins are at this stage.
Domestically, however, Liverpool’s momentum has stalled. A 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened Burnley last weekend extended an unwanted trend and saw Slot’s side make history for the wrong reasons, becoming the first reigning Premier League champions to fail to beat any newly-promoted team at home in a single season. That result reignited speculation around Slot’s long-term future, despite the Reds extending their unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions.
Liverpool’s task will not be straightforward against a Marseille side thriving under Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian’s attack-minded philosophy has delivered goals in abundance, and Les Olympiens once again showcased their firepower on matchday six, when Mason Greenwood struck twice in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise.
Marseille have already claimed notable scalps in this season’s competition, including Newcastle United and PSV Eindhoven, although defeats to Sporting Lisbon, Atalanta BC and Real Madrid leave them 12th in the standings, three points adrift of the automatic qualification places.
Confidence remains high in the south of France, though. Marseille thrashed Angers 5-2 at the weekend, scoring four times before the 40th minute, and remain the highest scorers in Ligue 1, even if they trail leaders Lens by eight points.
Now targeting three straight Champions League wins for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign, Marseille face Liverpool for the first time since the 2008-09 group stage, when the Reds won both meetings under Rafael Benítez.
Injuries & Suspensions
Liverpool welcome Mohamed Salah back into the squad following the conclusion of his Africa Cup of Nations campaign, although the Egyptian forward may not be rushed straight into the starting XI.Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak are all sidelined through injury, while Ibrahima Konaté remains a doubt due to a personal issue. Despite their wastefulness against Burnley, Slot is expected to stick largely with the same attacking setup, though Alexis Mac Allister and Andy Robertson could be restored to the starting lineup to add freshness.
Marseille will soon regain Nayef Aguerd after Morocco’s AFCON heartbreak against Senegal, but the defender is unlikely to feature here. Derek Cornelius and Ruben Blanco are unavailable, while Bilal Nadir’s late withdrawal against Angers is not believed to be serious. Benjamin Pavard is also expected to be fit after a head knock.
De Zerbi has several midfield options should he need to rotate, including Arthur Vermeeren, Angel Gomes and Matt O’Riley, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Igor Paixao will be pushing for recalls in attack.
Possible Starting Lineups
Marseille:Rulli; Murillo, Balerdi, Medina, Emerson; O’Riley, Højbjerg; Weah, Greenwood, Paixao; Aubameyang
Liverpool:
Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Expert Prediction
Marseille 2-2 Liverpool
