Next up on the European stage for Liverpool is a trip to Marseille as the quest for top-eight qualification continues.
With league form offering little encouragement to start 2026, the Champions League offers the kind of excitement that has been hard to come by for Liverpool fans.
The Reds are gearing up to take on Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille.
The best possible XI Slot can pick to get Liverpool fans back on side vs Marseille ⬇️
They are in third in Ligue 1, and three points behind Liverpool in the league phase standings, so we can expect a competitive game of football.
Here’s three key things to know about Liverpool’s next European test.
Marseille’s Champions League campaign so far
After a two-year hiatus from the competition, OM have returned with a respectable tally after six games.
They won three and lost three, putting them in 16th ahead of hosting the Reds. They lost three of their first four, 2-1 to Real Madrid, 2-1 to Sporting Lisbon, and 1-0 to Atalanta. The teams they lost to are all in the mix for a top-eight finish.
But wins against Ajax, Newcastle and Union SG mean that qualification is there for the taking.
Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical setup
Marseille look a revitalised side under De Zerbi, who rose to fame during his time at Brighton
De Zerbi was linked to Liverpool fairly heavily back when the job was vacant, and he would have been an… interesting choice.
Leaving his fiery personality aside, the Italian is a brilliant tactician who sets up his side to play exciting, unpredictable football. He sets up in a 3-4-3 formation with two advanced midfielders behind a lone striker.
What makes De Zerbi a unique proposition is the fluidity in which his players move around the pitch. Centre-backs can end up between the lines, build-up approach is constantly changing, and occupying intelligent spaces is the name of the game.
Slot will have to be aware of the different tricks Marseille use to beat the press, and the players will need to be switched on for the full 90 minutes.
Marseille players to watch
Marseille have the best attack in Ligue 1 this season — even more deadly than that of the current Champions League holders.
Mason Greenwood is the star of the team, and it’s the Man United academy graduate who will need to be watched closest. He has 15 goals already this season across the two competitions.
Former Slot star at Feyenoord, Igor Paixao, is their top scorer in Europe this season with four goals. Liverpool held interest in Paixao last winter, but he instead moved to Marseille on loan.
Finally, 36-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is proving that age is just a number, just one goal involvement shy of his best ever European campaign.
Who do you think will give Alisson the biggest problems for Marseille?
The Brazilian’s heroics against PSG delivered Liverpool’s only away win against a French side in their last seven attempts 😯
Marseille attackers:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Mason Greenwood
- Amine Gouiri
- Igor Paixao
- Timothy Weah
Neil Maupay is ineligible…
Marseille’s attack is their biggest strength, and Alisson Becker could be in for another long night like the one at Parc des Princes last season.
A resolute defensive display will be needed to keep De Zerbi’s dynamic attack at bay.
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