Ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League meeting at the Stade Vélodrome, Marseille and Liverpool arrived with sharply contrasting domestic and European fortunes.

Liverpool’s Premier League form had been underwhelming by their own standards, sitting fourth on 36 points and already 14 behind leaders Arsenal. In Europe, however, the picture was far brighter. Despite beginning the night ninth in the Champions League table, the Reds knew that victories in their final two group matches would all but secure passage to the knockout stages.

Marseille, by contrast, were enjoying a strong domestic campaign. Roberto De Zerbi’s side sat third in Ligue 1, eight points off leaders Lens and behind only Paris Saint-Germain, and had been one of France’s most entertaining teams this season. Their Champions League campaign, though, had stalled, with nine points leaving them only marginally in contention for a playoff place.

Much of Marseille’s attacking spark has come from Mason Greenwood, whose growing confidence continues to make him a focal point in the final third. Liverpool, meanwhile, have leaned heavily on Dominik Szoboszlai in Europe, the Hungarian midfielder’s three goals playing a key role in their continental progress. The Reds also arrived unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions.

Marseille had lost just once in their previous five matches in normal time and scored 22 goals in that run. Across Europe’s top five leagues, only Bayern Munich and Barcelona were averaging more goals per game this season.

Arne Slot made four changes from Liverpool’s previous Champions League outing against Inter, while De Zerbi rotated six players from Marseille’s last European fixture against Union Saint-Gilloise.

The opening stages, despite the pre-match promise, were cagey. Liverpool threatened sporadically without testing Gerónimo Rulli, while Marseille failed to register a shot until Amine Gouiri’s effort on the half-hour mark. Liverpool, meanwhile, went the first 30 minutes without a shot on target for the first time since October 2022.

Hugo Ekitike thought he had given Marseille the lead midway through the half after a lightning counter-attack, only for a marginal offside call to deny him. Marseille controlled possession, enjoying nearly two-thirds of the ball, with Facundo Medina producing an outstanding passing display alongside Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Timothy Weah.

That dominance, however, went unrewarded. In first-half stoppage time, Liverpool struck with a moment of ingenuity. Szoboszlai rolled a free-kick beneath a jumping wall and into the corner, punishing Marseille’s failure to convert control into clear chances. It was a decisive blow, particularly given Liverpool’s perfect record this season when scoring first in the Champions League.

The goal also saw Szoboszlai become only the third Liverpool player to record a goal involvement in five consecutive Champions League appearances, following Steven Gerrard and Mohamed Salah.

Marseille emerged after the break with renewed urgency, firing three shots inside the opening minutes and pushing Liverpool deeper. Greenwood’s frequent touches inside the penalty area reflected Marseille’s intent, while Ekitike struck the woodwork shortly before the hour, prompting visible frustration from De Zerbi on the touchline.

Liverpool were content to absorb pressure and counter, often finding space in transition. Strong defending from Amir Murillo and Leonardo Balerdi delayed the inevitable, but the second goal arrived through a mix of persistence and misfortune. Jeremie Frimpong’s strength and pace allowed him to beat Medina down the flank, and although his cross was not intended as a shot, Rulli’s attempted clearance spun into his own net.

The Argentine goalkeeper became the first to score an own goal against Liverpool in the Champions League, an unwanted footnote on a frustrating night for Marseille.

Late chances came and went for the hosts, with Igor Paixão firing three efforts wide and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shooting straight at Alisson when well placed. Any lingering hopes were extinguished in stoppage time when Cody Gakpo added a third for Liverpool with only the Reds’ third shot on target.

Despite the scoreline, the statistics told a story of missed opportunity. Marseille had more shots, more shots on target, more possession, more passes, and matched Liverpool’s accuracy in the opposition half. Yet they failed to turn control into cutting edge.

On nights like this, fine margins define Champions League football — and Marseille were left to rue a golden chance that slipped away.