This article contains affiliate links to advertisers. Gamble Aware 18+
Liverpool travel to Marseille looking to keep the pressure on the top eight in the UEFA Champions League (UCL). With only one more matchday in the league phase after this, all points are even more vital now.
Liverpool are ninth in the league but sit level on points with three teams ahead of them. A win in Marseille and other results going their way could see Arne Slot’s side head into the final matchday with their fate in their hands.
Marseille are 16th in the table and have a three-point buffer on those not in the top 24. They will come into this game with confidence that they can get something from it based on their own form and Liverpool’s. It will no doubt be an exciting game when these two teams meet.
Marseille v Liverpool key information
• Date: Wednesday, 21 January
• Kick-off time: 8pm GMT
• Venue: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
• Referee: Slavko Vinčić
• VAR: Christian Dingert
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Odds: OM (11/4) - DRAW (14/5) - LIV (10/11)
Marseille team news
Roberto De Zerbi is set to be without a few players for the visit of Liverpool. Defender Benjamin Pavard missed the game against Angers on the weekend because of an injury, the severity of which is unknown. Bilal Nadir had to be withdrawn against Angers late on, so it is yet to be seen if he will be fit enough come Wednesday.
After heartbreak in the AFCON final, Nayef Aguerd will be leaving his Morocco teammates to return to his club side. With the final having been on Sunday, the ex-West Ham man is unlikely to be considered for this match, especially after the tumultuous circumstances in that game.
There are a host of familiar faces to British fans in the Marseille team, and one of those is striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The ex-Arsenal man has registered 14 goal contributions in his last 14 UCL matches (G8, A6), so he is likely to be a threat against Liverpool.
Marseille predicted lineup v Liverpool, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Roberto De Zerbi
Rulli; Murillo, Balerdi, Medina, Emerson; O'Riley, Hojbjerg; Weah, Greenwood, Paixao; Aubameyang.
Liverpool team news
Liverpool came through their game on the weekend unscathed, but only with a point. Florian Wirtz is finding some form, having scored four in his last six games. His performances will merit another start on Wednesday, but Slot’s selections are about to be scrutinised all over again as Mohamed Salah returns from his exploits in AFCON.
Egypt lost the third-place play-off on Saturday to Nigeria, a game which went to penalties, and Salah missed his. The return to club football may be delayed to the weekend so that Salah can recover sufficiently from his exploits in Morocco, but the 33-year-old could surprise us all and be involved in the matchday squad.
Whilst they welcome back one player, many remain on the sidelines. Conor Bradley, Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni are all suffering from long-term injuries and will not feature.
Liverpool predicted lineup v Marseille, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Arne Slot
Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
This UCL match between Marseille and Liverpool will be shown on TNT Sports. To watch the match, you need a subscription to discovery+. Then you can stream the game on your smart TV, laptop, phone or games console.
Head-to-head record
Marseille come into the game on the back of two wins, one in the league and cup. Liverpool are unbeaten in 12, with six wins and draws apiece. Drawing at home against Burnley on the weekend was their fourth draw in the Premier League in a row and emphasised the disappointing form that the team are in currently.
Marseille and Liverpool have not faced each other since the 2008/09 Champions League campaign. Liverpool were the winners on that day and have not lost to Marseille in their last three UCL meetings. Overall, in the six meetings between the teams, Marseille have drawn once and won twice.
In the UCL, Marseille are on a run of 30 games without a draw (W8, L22) while Liverpool haven’t drawn any of their last 27 (W19, L8). It’s the two longest runs without a draw in the competition’s history.
Odds for Marseille v Liverpool
Liverpool are favourite to win at bet365, down at 10/11. A Marseille win is at 11/4, with a draw at 14/5.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.