Szoboszlai’s Masterful Free Kick Powers Liverpool to Victory Over Marseille

Dominik Szoboszlai expressed that his diligent preparation paid off with a remarkable free kick that gave Liverpool the lead in their 3-0 triumph over Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The match was goalless as it approached stoppage time at the end of the first half when Liverpool was awarded a free kick approximately 20 yards from the Marseille goal.

To bolster their chances of success, Liverpool has increasingly relied on Szoboszlai’s contributions.

As the game unfolded, four Marseille players formed a defensive wall, with no additional protection from a teammate lying prone behind them, which is intended to block low shots during a jump.

All four Marseille defenders leaped simultaneously as Szoboszlai executed a low, precise shot that sailed beneath them, eluding the grasp of goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli.

This tactic of a player lying down to shield against low shots is a relatively recent defensive strategy in soccer, yet it was not applied effectively in this instance at the Velodrome.

“I did my homework and was informed that if no one is lying down, I might have an opportunity to shoot under the wall,” Szoboszlai told TNT Sports. “Since no one was lying down, I seized the chance, and it paid off.”

Marseille’s coach, Roberto De Zerbi, acknowledged that conceding such a goal was a misstep for his team.

Despite the return of Mohamed Salah to the starting lineup for the first time since a significant loss to PSV Eindhoven, Szoboszlai was entrusted with the responsibility of taking the free kick.

“We always discuss set pieces,” Szoboszlai remarked when reflecting on his communication with Salah. “He inquired if I wanted to take it, and I confirmed my intention because I assessed that no one was lying down; I was determined to shoot under the wall. He agreed, and I scored.”

Salah’s recent month at Liverpool had been tumultuous, prompting speculation about his future with the club amid discussions of his performance and a prior incident where he felt unjustly criticized.

However, Szoboszlai was pleased to see Salah reintegrated into the lineup following his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. “I’m really happy he’s back,” Szoboszlai stated. “He contributes significantly on and off the pitch. I have a strong connection with him, and he has consistently demonstrated the ability to influence games. Even without a goal or assist today, he continued to work hard. Sometimes, it’s vital to focus on teamwork because he will likely score or assist in the next match.”

Salah’s effort did not go unnoticed, with Liverpool head coach Arne Slot praising his professionalism and ability to maintain fitness despite an extended absence.

“It speaks volumes about his professionalism that he could be away for over a month and still perform so well for us after just one day of training,” Slot noted. “He came close to scoring, which is usually a given for him, but thankfully, our team managed to score three times.”

Following Szoboszlai’s free kick, Liverpool extended their lead in the second half with an own goal from Rulli, who inadvertently redirected Jeremie Frimpong’s low cross into his own net, and a stoppage-time goal from substitute Cody Gakpo.

This victory propelled the Premier League champions to fourth place in the Champions League standings, two points ahead of ninth-placed Barcelona, with Qarabag set to visit next week. The top eight teams from the league phase will secure direct advancement to the last 16, bypassing the playoff round.

“This win is crucial, especially considering we’ve had to rely on the same players for much of the season due to injuries,” Slot commented, while noting their unbeaten streak had now reached 13 matches. “This could explain why we’ve faced energy deficits in certain games, given our frequent rotations. Many players, including Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch, haven’t had more than three days off, yet they consistently step up despite the challenges this season has presented.”