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Liverpool Sweep Marseille 3–0 as OM Face Bruges Decider for Champions League Play‑Offs

De Zerbi’s explanation of the free‑kick setup put added focus on OM before the trip to Bruges.

Overview

  • Dominik Szoboszlai struck a low free‑kick under a jumping wall just before halftime after a foul by Leonardo Balerdi, with OM deploying no player lying behind the wall.
  • Roberto De Zerbi said the team followed goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli’s preference not to use a “crocodile,” adding that the wall should not have jumped in that setup.
  • Jeremie Frimpong’s burst led to Rulli diverting the ball into his own net for 2-0 in the 72nd minute before Cody Gakpo completed the scoring in stoppage time.
  • Marseille are 19th and need a result at Club Bruges on Jan. 28 to secure a play‑off place, with Bruges two points back.
  • Benjamin Pavard will miss the Bruges trip through suspension as media and pundits intensified criticism of OM’s defensive lapses and inconsistency.