Le Journal

MARSEILLE VS. LIVERPOOL | Wednesday, January 21st |Champions League, League Phase | Stade de Marseille8PM BST/3PM EST I have terrible news for people who don’t pay attention to French football beyond being able to guess who wins the league any given year: Marseille are third in Ligue 1, but they’ve scored 41 goals, which is one more than the mighty, giant, star-studded PSG machine. They’ve conceded 19. This is not ideal for a Liverpool side who love to give an opponent a goal when they can. Marseille is third in Ligue 1 but eight points behind Lens, and lost the Trophée des Champions to PSG on penalties back on January 8th, having drawn the match 2-2. In Ligue 1 this past weekend they blew past Angers 5-2, with the hosts managing to make it 4-1 and only scored their second in stoppage time. While Liverpool are on an unbeaten run (even if it doesn’t feel like it), Marseille have done a lot to make their home ground a challenge for visiting sides: they have lost only three of their last 22 home games in Europe (14 wins, five draws). Though Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the most-noted threat for the French side, Liverpool will also be facing ex-Tottenham player Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who has proven effective in possession in the past and has some experience facing the Reds. Also familiar are Emerson (formerly of Chelsea and West Ham), and Mason Greenwood (formerly of Manchester United until he left in disgrace). Arne Slot will remember Igor Paixão, as he coached the Brazilian left winger at Feyenoord. Of course, Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi himself has experience playing Liverpool, and will relish the challenge in Europe’s premier competition. Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3) Alisson; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Ekitiké, Wirtz Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk is set to make his 350th appearance for Liverpool on Wednesday, and should he feature he will become the 50th man to reach this marker for Liverpool. His usual partner at the heart of the defense was forced to leave due to private family matters, however, and it’s unclear if Ibrahima Konaté will be available for the tie. Should Konaté be unavailable, Arne Slot will likely be forced to start Joe Gomez as the only natural senior centerback healthy and on the squad list — though the Liverpool head coach may choose to play someone out of position instead. If Andy Robertson isn’t called upon to play centrally, it’s a toss-up between himself and Miloš Kerkez on the left, with the decision likely falling to tactical choices. Kerkez had pre-match press duties, but Slot has sent players who’ve been on the bench to start previously. Similarly, Jeremie Frimpong should see a start on the right, with Gomez or an auxiliary right back the sum total of Slot’s options in that position. The midfield and attack will be your more general weighing of fitness, tactics, and games ahead, with the added fun of “is Mohamed Salah ready to jump right back into the starting XI post-AFCON?” Notable for other reasons: Curtis Jones will miss the next Champions League match if he’s booked in this one due to card accumulation. The starting line-up choices have become less and less interesting as whichever eleven players Slot selects continue to perform below the sum of their parts: Liverpool managed to draw against a Burnley side at the weekend who could well have won. It’s not an ideal time to take a challenging trip to France. Perhaps the best news for those of us semi-resigned to watch another turgid showing from the Reds? A draw would be enough to clinch the knockout play-offs. Of course, Liverpool have not drawn in any of their last 32 Champions League Group Stage/League Stage matches, and have won eight of their last 10 away matches. This is noted with a heavy sigh. Maybe this will be the match where Liverpool once again remember who they are. The Managers Have Their Say Arne Slot: “I have great memories of this place, it’s where…

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