LIVERPOOL CRUSH MARSEILLE 3-0 AS DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI AND GAKPO SHINE IN FRANCE
Liverpool continue their European dominance with a 3-0 win over Marseille, thanks to goals from Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo.
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Liverpool and Arne Slot continue to impress in Europe. What was expected to be a tough test for the Premier League champions against Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille turned out to be quite comfortable, with Slot’s team moving closer to qualifying for the Champions League last 16.
Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, an own goal caused by Jeremie Frimpong, and substitute Cody Gakpo gave Liverpool a well-deserved win in France, marking their ninth victory in 11 European away games under Slot. They could have won by an even bigger margin, but after recent struggles to turn chances into goals, Slot will still be happy with this solid victory.
Liverpool started confidently at the loud Stade Vélodrome. Slot used the same midfield diamond formation that worked well in their previous European game against Inter, but this time, Mohamed Salah was in the lineup. Salah, who was dropped against Inter after an interview at Leeds, returned to the starting lineup after playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
“You’ll see the lineup tomorrow and then decide if there’s still a problem,” Slot said at the press conference when asked about his relationship with Salah. But the real questions are about Salah’s issues with Liverpool and Slot, not the other way around.
Both teams wore black armbands and applauded before the game to honour Rolland Courbis, a former Marseille player and manager who passed away on January 12th. Before the match, Marseille fans displayed a tifo of the Beatles reading a copy of La Provence newspaper with the headline ‘Que l’histoire se repete’ – Let history repeat itself – above a picture of Didier Drogba celebrating knocking Liverpool out of the Uefa Cup in 2004. In the end, the Marseille fans were more creative than their team.
The home side seemed more intimidated than the visitors and, unusually for a De Zerbi team, struggled to keep possession in the first half. Alisson saved a shot from Amine Gouiri and bravely stopped Benjamin Pavard, but Liverpool posed the only real threat.
Alexis Mac Allister, who played under De Zerbi at Brighton, missed an early chance before Hugo Ekitiké's goal was disallowed for offside after a Liverpool counterattack. Ryan Gravenberch took advantage of a mistake by Geoffrey Kondogbia to set up Salah, who then passed to Szoboszlai.
Marseille’s repeated errors frustrated their coach. Liverpool deserves credit for forcing these mistakes with their constant pressing and by cutting off passing options to the defenders. Another mistake led to a Liverpool counterattack, with Salah’s volley from Frimpong’s cross going just over the bar.
Liverpool took a deserved lead just before halftime after Balerdi fouled Gravenberch. After a VAR check for a possible handball, Szoboszlai scored from the free-kick, shooting under the wall and past the goalkeeper. It was a welcome goal for Szoboszlai, who had missed a penalty against Burnley and faced criticism after the FA Cup loss to Barnsley.
De Zerbi’s halftime talk seemed to motivate Marseille, who started the second half with more energy. Mason Greenwood forced Alisson into a good save with a dipping shot from 25 yards. Greenwood also led a dangerous attack, but Hamed Traoré shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat.
Between Greenwood’s chances, Ekitiké hit the post after a pass from Szoboszlai. Slot may have been reminded of his team’s struggles to finish off Burnley when Wirtz was denied by Rulli and Ekitiké missed another chance.
But those worries disappeared when Frimpong’s cross went into the net off Medina and Rulli. The goal was credited as an own goal by the keeper. Liverpool didn't care and added another goal in stoppage time when Gakpo scored from Gravenberch’s assist.
TOTTENHAM CONFIRM MANAGER POSITION FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST ATLETICO MADRID
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor will remain in charge for the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid this Tuesday.
Tottenham has put an end to the speculation about Igor Tudor’s future by confirming he will stay on as head coach for their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Sky Sports reports Tudor will lead the pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of this crucial fixture.
Pressure on Tudor had been mounting following a rocky start at Tottenham. There were murmurs he might be sacked after a series of disappointing results, but the late 1-1 draw against Liverpool seems to have provided a reprieve. Before that, the assumption was that one more loss, especially away at Anfield, could cost him his job. Confirming Tudor’s role for the Atletico clash signals the club is sticking with him for now, at least through the next big challenge.
That challenge is significant. Spurs are trailing 5-2 on aggregate after the first leg against Atletico, a match that drew sharp criticism for Tottenham’s performance. The game was difficult to watch, not only because of the scoreline but also because of a striking moment when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was taken off just 17 minutes in, a rare and unsettling decision that highlighted deeper issues.
For Tudor, Tuesday’s match is both a test and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. The confirmation of his position brings mixed feelings among fans. There’s a recognition that stability is important during such a hectic part of the season, yet lingering doubts remain after some shaky displays.
Fans watched the first leg against Atletico with a sense of disbelief. Conceding five goals and that early goalkeeper substitution raised legitimate questions about the team’s preparation and tactical choices. That substitution felt emblematic of a chaotic night, reflecting larger problems.
The gritty draw with Liverpool, though, offered a glimpse of fighting spirit and earned some credit for resilience, even if the overall form is inconsistent. Moments like that can offer managers breathing room in tough times.
Still, supporters crave clarity and a long-term vision. Tottenham has shifted its direction multiple times in recent years, and the fans want a coherent plan moving forward. Tudor now has a clear chance to reinforce his authority and bring some order against a tough Atletico side.
Even if overcoming the deficit proves elusive, Spurs supporters will be looking for signs of organisation, determination, and a stronger team identity. That might be the most valuable takeaway from the clash.
UCL DRAW 2026 LAST 16: PREMIER LEAGUE GIANTS FACE BRUTAL DRAW IN QUEST FOR EUROPEAN GLORY 2026
The Champions League draw is out! Read the full list of fixtures, including Man City vs Real Madrid and Newcastle’s trip to Barcelona.
Manchester City will go head-to-head with Real Madrid in what’s easily the standout fixture of this season’s Champions League round of 16.
UEFA stuck to the same process as last year’s new format, running the draws for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals all on the same day in Nyon, Switzerland.
There’s still plenty of English interest left in the competition. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Man City all made it through, which pretty much guarantees the Premier League an extra Champions League spot next season thanks to the UEFA coefficient.
With the seeding and pairing rules, each of the 16 teams already knew they’d be facing one of just two possible opponents in the next round.
Liverpool and Tottenham ended up in the same section of the bracket. No surprise, since they finished third and fourth in their groups.
Arsenal, who topped their group, drew Bayern Munich. Manchester City got Sporting Lisbon, and Chelsea lined up against Barcelona.
After Newcastle’s play-off win over Qarabag, they were slotted into their section of the bracket.
Now that the draw’s done, here’s what’s coming up: Chelsea will take on defending champions PSG, and Newcastle will get Barcelona.
Real Madrid against Manchester City is the pick of the bunch, two giants going toe-to-toe.
Liverpool will face Galatasaray, while Tottenham will meet Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are set to play either Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta – a tricky tie either way.
Here’s the full Champions League last 16 draw for 2025/26:
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
And for the Europa League quarter-finals:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona vs Tottenham/Atletico Madrid
Bodø/Glimt/Sporting vs Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
The Europa League semi-finals shape up like this:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea/Galatasaray/Liverpool vs Real Madrid/Manchester City/Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona/Tottenham/Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt/Sporting/Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
As for the dates, here’s what you need to know:
Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
Semi-finals: April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026
Final: May 30, 2026, in Budapest
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