Liverpool face Marseille in their penultimate Champions League tie of the league phase, and certain signs are pointing to a more enjoyable watch than we’ve been used to in recent weeks.
The importance of this European campaign grows with each wobble Liverpool experience in the Premier League.
It may well be Arne Slot’s best chance at retaining his post past the summer, and it’s a chance to endear himself with the fans once again.
Which would you rather?
Slot wins the Champions League and stays at LFC, or wins the FA Cup but is fired 🤔
It’ll be welcome news then, to hear who will be officiating on Wednesday night at the Stade Velodrome.
Liverpool’s history with referee for Marseille clash Slavko Vincic
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic is set to take charge of the match against Marseille.
He has officiated Liverpool in three previous Champions League fixtures, all during the Jurgen Klopp era.
First was a 4-1 win against KRC Genk in 2019/20, when Liverpool were the reigning champions. Goals from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and a brace from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain helped the Reds to a comfortable away win.
Two seasons later, it was a Round of 16 first-leg tie against RB Leipzig, with Mane and Salah on target again for a 2-0 win. They would emerge 4-0 victors after the reverse fixture at Anfield.
Most recently, it was a 7-1 thumping of Rangers in the group stages in the 2022/23 campaign. The highlight was a six-minute hat-trick from Salah off the bench — a history-making feat in the Champions League.
That’s an aggregate of 13-2 in favour of Liverpool with Vincic in charge. Five in three games for Salah. Marseille are no scrubs, but that’s surely a good sign for this midweek road trip.
BALL KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED: Who is missing from the starting XI?
Liverpool registered an emphatic 4-0 win 💪
Mo Salah could announce his return in style
We’re assuming Salah will be ready for Marseille, having played his final AFCON fixture on Saturday.
Just how ready Slot deems him to come back into the side remains to be seen, but how good would it be for him to continue his Vincic streak and put an exclamation mark on his Liverpool comeback.
- READ MORE: Liverpool star with less touches than Alisson against Burnley can’t wait for Mo Salah to return
After the weekend’s painfully unclinical display, the Egyptian could be exactly what that front line needs right now.
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