Salah Misfires, Szoboszlai Shines in Pre-Season Clash

Liverpool’s Pre-Season Encounter with Marseille: A Tale of Two Halves

Liverpool’s pre-season preparations continued with a friendly against French giants Olympique de Marseille at Anfield. The match, played on a crisp January evening in 2026, provided Jürgen Klopp with another opportunity to assess his squad’s readiness ahead of a crucial second half of the season. While the overall performance was a mixed bag, individual displays offered both encouragement and cause for concern. This article delves into the performance of each Liverpool player, offering detailed ratings and analysis.

Alisson Becker – 7/10

Alisson, as always, provided a calming presence between the sticks. He wasn’t overly tested, but his distribution was sharp, and he made a crucial save early in the second half to deny a Marseille attacker. His command of the area was evident, snuffing out any potential danger from crosses and set-pieces.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6.5/10

A somewhat subdued performance from the usually dynamic right-back. While his passing range was on display, his defensive positioning was occasionally suspect, allowing Marseille’s wingers too much space. His crossing accuracy also dipped below his usual high standards. He did contribute to some promising attacks, but his overall impact was less pronounced than usual. He was eventually subbed off in the 70th minute.

Ibrahima Konaté – 7.5/10

Konaté was a rock at the heart of the Liverpool defence. His physicality and aerial prowess were crucial in repelling Marseille’s attacks. He made several key tackles and interceptions, demonstrating his growing maturity and understanding of the game. His partnership with Virgil van Dijk continues to blossom, providing a solid foundation for the team.

Virgil van Dijk – 7/10

Van Dijk, the ever-reliable captain, marshalled the defence with his customary authority. His reading of the game was impeccable, and he was always in the right place at the right time to snuff out danger. While not his most spectacular performance, his steady presence and organizational skills were vital in keeping Marseille at bay. He did, however, get caught out once or twice by Marseille’s quick counter-attacks, highlighting the need for continued focus and sharpness.

Andrew Robertson – 6/10

Robertson’s energy and commitment were evident, but his final ball often lacked precision. He got into promising positions down the left flank but failed to deliver the telling cross or pass that could unlock the Marseille defence. Defensively, he was solid enough, but he needs to improve his attacking output to regain his status as one of the league’s best left-backs. He was replaced by Tsimikas in the 65th minute.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 8/10

A standout performance from the Hungarian midfielder. Szoboszlai was a driving force in the Liverpool midfield, showcasing his impressive range of passing, his powerful shot, and his tireless work rate. He created several scoring opportunities and was a constant threat to the Marseille defence. His link-up play with the forwards was particularly impressive, suggesting a promising future for the team’s attacking play. He deservedly earned the Man of the Match award for his influential display.

Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5/10

Mac Allister provided a composed and intelligent presence in midfield. His passing was accurate and incisive, and he helped to control the tempo of the game. However, he lacked a bit of dynamism and penetration, and he could have been more assertive in winning back possession. He showed glimpses of his quality, but he needs to find more consistency to cement his place in the starting eleven. He was subbed off in the 65th minute.

Curtis Jones – 6/10

Jones had a relatively quiet game. He showed flashes of his talent, but he struggled to impose himself on the match. His passing was neat and tidy, but he lacked the creativity and vision to unlock the Marseille defence. He needs to add more bite and aggression to his game to become a more effective midfielder. He was replaced by Elliott in the 70th minute.

Mohamed Salah – 5/10

A frustrating evening for the Egyptian superstar. Salah was uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal, missing several clear-cut chances. His touch was also off, and he struggled to beat his marker. While his work rate was commendable, his lack of sharpness in the final third was a major disappointment. Klopp will be hoping that this was just a temporary blip and that Salah will rediscover his scoring touch soon. He was subbed off in the 75th minute.

Darwin Núñez – 6.5/10

Núñez was full of running and energy, but his finishing let him down once again. He created several opportunities for himself, but he failed to convert them into goals. His movement and work rate are impressive, but he needs to improve his composure in front of goal to become a truly prolific striker. He showed glimpses of his potential, but he needs to find more consistency to justify his price tag. He was replaced by Gakpo in the 75th minute.

Luis Díaz – 7/10

Díaz was a lively presence on the left wing, causing problems for the Marseille defence with his pace and trickery. He created several scoring opportunities and was a constant threat to the opposition. However, his final ball could have been better, and he needs to improve his decision-making in the final third. He was replaced by Jota in the 65th minute.

Substitutes:

• Kostas Tsimikas (65′) – 6/10: Provided fresh legs and energy on the left flank but didn’t have a significant impact.
• Diogo Jota (65′) – 6.5/10: Looked sharp and dangerous after coming on, creating a couple of half-chances.
• Harvey Elliott (70′) – 6/10: Added some creativity to the midfield but couldn’t unlock the Marseille defence.
• Cody Gakpo (75′) – 5.5/10: Struggled to get involved in the game after coming on.
• (75′) – N/A: Played too few minutes to be rated.

Tactical Observations

Liverpool lined up in their familiar 4-3-3 formation, with Szoboszlai and Mac Allister providing the creative spark in midfield. The full-backs, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, pushed high up the pitch to provide width, while the front three of Salah, Núñez, and Díaz looked to stretch the Marseille defence. Marseille, meanwhile, adopted a more cautious approach, focusing on defensive solidity and looking to hit Liverpool on the counter-attack.

Liverpool dominated possession for large periods of the game, but they struggled to break down Marseille’s stubborn defence. Their passing was often too slow and predictable, and they lacked the cutting edge to create clear-cut chances. Marseille, on the other hand, were well-organized and disciplined, and they defended resolutely, frustrating Liverpool’s attacking efforts.

Klopp will be pleased with his team’s work rate and commitment, but he will be concerned about their lack of sharpness in the final third. Salah’s struggles were a particular concern, and Klopp will be hoping that he can rediscover his form soon. Núñez also needs to improve his finishing, while the team as a whole needs to be more creative and incisive in attack.

Looking Ahead

This friendly against Marseille provided valuable minutes for the Liverpool squad and allowed Klopp to experiment with different formations and personnel. While the performance was far from perfect, it highlighted areas where the team needs to improve ahead of the resumption of the season. With key players returning from injury, Liverpool will be hoping to build momentum in the coming weeks and challenge for silverware in the second half of the campaign.

Conclusion

The pre-season friendly against Marseille offered a mixed bag for Liverpool. While Szoboszlai impressed with his dynamism and creativity, Salah’s struggles in front of goal were a cause for concern. The team’s overall performance lacked sharpness and incisiveness, highlighting the need for improvement ahead of the resumption of the season. Klopp will be hoping that this game serves as a wake-up call and that his players can rediscover their form in the coming weeks.

FAQ

Why was Mohamed Salah’s performance rated so low?

Salah had a particularly quiet game by his standards. He missed several clear chances, his touch was off, and he didn’t seem to have the same sharpness that he usually displays. While his work rate was there, the lack of end product was disappointing.

Who was Liverpool’s best player in the match against Marseille?

Dominik Szoboszlai was undoubtedly Liverpool’s best player. He was a constant threat with his passing range, powerful shots, and relentless energy. He dictated the tempo of the game and created numerous opportunities for his teammates.

What were the main tactical takeaways from the game?

Liverpool dominated possession but struggled to break down Marseille’s defense. Their passing was sometimes slow and predictable. Marseille, on the other hand, were well-organized and looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Liverpool needs to improve their creativity and incisiveness in the final third.

How did the new signings perform in the game?

Szoboszlai impressed, showing his quality and potential. Mac Allister had a decent game, providing composure and accurate passing, but he needs to add more dynamism to his play. Overall, the new signings are integrating well into the team.

What areas do Liverpool need to improve on before the season restarts?

Liverpool needs to improve their sharpness in the final third, particularly in terms of finishing chances. They also need to be more creative and incisive in attack. Defensively, they need to maintain focus and avoid getting caught out by counter-attacks.