Salah Returns for Liverpool's Pivotal Champions League Encounter in Marseille
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has named Mohamed Salah in his starting lineup as the Reds prepare for a crucial Champions League league phase clash against Olympique Marseille at the Stade Velodrome. The match represents a significant opportunity for Liverpool to regain a position in the top eight, which guarantees automatic qualification for the knockout stages.
High Stakes in the League Phase
Entering this penultimate round of fixtures, Liverpool's position is precarious yet promising. The team began the week in ninth place but slipped to 11th following Tuesday night's results. However, they remain just a single point adrift of the coveted top-eight spots. A victory in Marseille could propel them as high as fourth in the table, depending on outcomes elsewhere. Conversely, Marseille, currently in 16th, have the chance to climb to ninth with a win, setting up a tense final matchday.
Liverpool's form presents a curious paradox. The team is on an 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions, yet performances have been widely criticised as unconvincing. This has placed increasing pressure on manager Arne Slot to demonstrate tangible progress, especially with the club still competing in Europe and the FA Cup.
Team News and Managerial Insights
Slot has made three changes from the side that drew with Burnley. The most notable is the return of Mohamed Salah, who replaces Cody Gakpo on the wing. Alexis Mac Allister comes into midfield for Curtis Jones, and Joe Gomez starts in defence in place of Ibrahima Konate, who is absent due to family matters.
In his pre-match comments, Slot addressed Salah's inclusion, stating, "Now, we sometimes miss goals, and if there’s one player in the history of Liverpool who’s showed that he can score goals, it’s Mo Salah." He expressed hope that the team could maintain defensive solidity while creating chances for the prolific forward.
Marseille manager Roberto de Zerbi has made two alterations, with Benjamin Pavard and Geoffrey Kondogbia entering the lineup. Slot was effusive in his praise for his counterpart, calling de Zerbi "one of the best managers in the world" and highlighting his impact on player development and attractive style of play.
Historical Context and Key Statistics
The historical data adds intrigue to the fixture. Marseille ended a 12-game winless streak against English clubs with a victory over Newcastle in November. The French side has not beaten two different Premier League teams in a single European campaign since the 2003/04 UEFA Cup, when they defeated both Newcastle and Liverpool.
A fascinating statistical quirk sees both teams on extraordinary runs without a draw in the Champions League. Marseille have not drawn in their last 30 matches (W8 L22), while Liverpool's streak stands at 27 games (W19 L8). These are the two longest such sequences in the competition's history, suggesting a decisive result is likely.
For Marseille, the attacking threat is led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The striker has 13 major European goals for the club and is enjoying a productive season with three goals and four assists in the Champions League. Only Kylian Mbappé has been involved in more goals in the competition this term.
The Broader Picture for Liverpool
This match is seen as a potential turning point in Slot's tenure. Despite the unbeaten run, there is a palpable sense that Liverpool's revival has stalled. The team has dropped points against three promoted sides since December, leading to discontent among sections of the support. A positive performance and result in the hostile atmosphere of the Stade Velodrome could provide the momentum needed to silence critics and solidify a top-eight finish. The stage is set for a tense and pivotal European night in France.
