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Beth Lindop
It was certainly Dominik Szoboszlai. Throughout this unpredictable season, the midfielder has transitioned from being a valuable asset within Liverpool‘s squad to the team’s standout player, a fact evident once again on Wednesday when his imaginative free kick propelled his side towards a vital 3-0 victory against Marseille in the UEFA Champions League.
This season has seen Szoboszlai earn deserved praise for his dynamic performances in Liverpool’s midfield, although recent events have placed him under scrutiny.
The Hungary international was labeled as “disrespectful” by Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane after a risky backheel led to a goal conceded in the FA Cup, and his missed penalty against Burnley last weekend resulted in further lost points in the Premier League.
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Yet, amidst rising expectations, Szoboszlai demonstrated composure at the Stade Vélodrome, with his goal just before halftime capturing his essence. Clever, audacious, and filled with finesse, his free kick slipped beneath the Marseille wall and bewildered goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, easing the tension for those in red.
In his moment of celebration, Szoboszlai smiled and tapped his temple—perhaps a sign that he remained focused despite the surrounding criticism during a pivotal time for Liverpool. Even before scoring, the 25-year-old had showcased his talent by assisting Hugo Ekitike, only for the strike to be ruled offside.
With this goal, Szoboszlai became the first Liverpool player to net a direct free kick in the Champions League since Trent Alexander-Arnold did so against Rangers in October 2022. He also joined an exclusive club as only the third Liverpool player to score or assist in five consecutive Champions League matches, following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard and Mohamed Salah.
Gerrard, who was watching from a London studio, openly praised Szoboszlai, the current wearer of his famous No.8 jersey. “You can see he’s overflowing with confidence,” Gerrard commented to TNT Sports post-match. “I admire his self-assurance. If most players had Mo Salah in their ear [wanting to take the free kick], they might step aside, but Szoboszlai’s confidence is commendable.”
This endorsement solidifies Szoboszlai’s potential to one day emulate Gerrard as Liverpool’s captain. His strike marked his seventh goal across competitions this season—just one shy of his total from last year— and even though he did not add to that tally in the second half, he remained pivotal in Liverpool’s positive attacking plays.
Szoboszlai was close to providing an assist when he sent Ekitike through on goal, only for the striker’s powerful shot to hit the post. Shortly thereafter, Jeremie Frimpong’s effort led to Liverpool’s second goal, as his cutback inadvertently found its way into the net off Rulli’s hand.
The Reds’ third goal was skillfully finished by substitute Cody Gakpo during stoppage time, but it was Szoboszlai’s clever assist to Ryan Gravenberch that led to the finish.
It’s no wonder that Liverpool are eager to secure Szoboszlai with a new long-term contract. He has made a name for himself in consecutive European fixtures, having also scored a match-winning penalty against Internazionale back in early December.
At that time, Liverpool desperately needed a win to lift spirits amidst a tumultuous week that saw Salah publicly confront head coach Arne Slot and allege the club was undermining him.
Salah was left out of the squad for that match at the San Siro but returned to face Marseille after participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, where he played a key role in helping Egypt secure a fourth-place finish in Morocco.
Salah played the entire match against De Zerbi’s team, although a notable miss exemplified his recent inconsistent form. Nevertheless, his involvement could signal a turning point for both him and the club.
Liverpool now sits unbeaten in their last 13 matches in all competitions, the longest streak of any team across Europe’s top five leagues.
This statistic, however, doesn’t fully capture the reality, as some performances have left room for rightful criticism towards Slot in recent weeks. Yet, this unbeaten streak seemed inconceivable earlier when Liverpool found themselves struggling defensively.
“This could have been a difficult venue due to their passionate fans as well as their talented players and manager,” Slot remarked after the match. “We had to perform exceptionally today, and we did. There were opportunities for better counterattacks, but we were positive with the ball. Scoring three goals means everyone leaves happier than if we created five chances and scored just once.”
While Slot is correct to acknowledge the lack of luck that has plagued his team lately, he will understand that higher standards are necessary to appease his critics and ensure he is seen as the right leader for the club moving forward.
Based on Wednesday’s performance, there remains plenty for Liverpool to strive for in this challenging season, especially if their standout player Szoboszlai continues to shine.