Homework at the Velodrome: Szoboszlai Free-Kick Brilliance Lights Up Liverpool’s Champions League Night in Marseille

Liverpool’s Champions League win away at Marseille was convincing on the scoreboard, but the moment that truly set the tone came from a piece of quiet preparation rather than raw power. Dominik Szoboszlai’s clever free-kick — rolled calmly under a jumping wall — was not an act of improvisation. It was the result of planning, analysis, and confidence, all coming together on a charged European night at the Stade Vélodrome.

After the final whistle, the Hungarian midfielder summed it up with a smile and a simple explanation: he had done his homework.

Szoboszlai Free-Kick Turns Preparation into Liverpool Advantage

Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool Marseille 2025-26

Liverpool had to be patient in southern France. Marseille defended deep for much of the first half, feeding off the noise of the Velodrome crowd and trying to frustrate Arne Slot’s side. Chances were limited, spaces were tight, and the breakthrough did not arrive until first-half stoppage time.

When it did, it came in an unusual way.

Liverpool initially thought they had earned a penalty after a handball on the edge of the box, but a VAR review downgraded it to a free-kick just outside the area. Instead of frustration, there was clarity. Szoboszlai stepped up, noticed there was no player lying behind the wall — no “draught excluder” — and rolled the ball low, straight underneath the jumping Marseille defenders.

It was cheeky, intelligent, and devastatingly effective.

“Yeah, I did my homework,” Szoboszlai told TNT Sports afterwards. “I got told that if no-one is lying down, maybe I can have a chance to hit it under the wall. No-one was lying down, so I tried it — and it worked.”

In a stadium known for its hostility and intensity, the goal sucked the air out of the crowd. Liverpool went on to win 3-0, but the match had already tilted decisively in their favour.

Liverpool Champions League Planning Pays Off in Marseille

This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. According to Arne Slot, the free-kick routine was something Liverpool had actively prepared for. The Reds’ head coach revealed that goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero had been instrumental in identifying Marseille’s habits at set-pieces.

“It was a moment from Dom, great work from Xavi as well,” Slot told LFCTV. “Although, I think it shouldn’t have been Dom who took that ball — it should have been Mo [Salah], because it should have been a penalty.”

Slot did not hide his frustration with the officiating, suggesting Liverpool once again found themselves on the wrong side of a key decision. But rather than dwelling on it, he pointed to the bigger picture.

“So many times this season we have been on the wrong side of refereeing decisions,” he said. “But I’ve also said many times that we shouldn’t rely on these decisions. We should still be able to win games, and that’s what we did tonight.”

The free-kick was a perfect example of that mindset. Liverpool adapted, trusted their preparation, and punished Marseille for a small defensive oversight.

Confidence, Courage and a Quiet Battle with Salah

One of the most talked-about elements of the goal was not just how Szoboszlai scored it, but who he took the ball from. Mohamed Salah, back in the Liverpool squad after Africa Cup of Nations duty, was standing nearby. In most teams, and most situations, the Egyptian would be the automatic choice.

Szoboszlai had other ideas.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, watching as a pundit, loved what he saw.

“What I loved about the free-kick, even before he took it, he’s got Salah in his ear,” Gerrard said on TNT Sports. “He’s covering his face and saying, ‘I want to take this, this is a left-footer, leave it to me’ — and he doesn’t take one word from the most iconic player Liverpool have had in a long time.”

For Gerrard, that moment spoke volumes about Szoboszlai’s confidence and belief.

“Most players, when Salah’s in your ear and he’s desperate to take it, move aside out of respect,” he added. “But Dominik says ‘no chance’ and backs himself all the way.”

Gerrard’s Warning: Talent Is There, But Humility Matters

While Gerrard was full of praise, he also offered a word of caution. Szoboszlai has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers this season, and Gerrard believes the ceiling is extremely high — potentially world-class.

“I think the talent is there,” he said. “This is the most consistent I’ve seen him. Full of energy, great out of possession, and brave on the ball.”

But Gerrard also hinted that Szoboszlai must keep his feet on the ground.

“If he stays humble and keeps working in the right way, he can get to another level,” Gerrard explained. “The last couple of weeks there’s been a little bit of ego creeping in — the backheel, the smashed penalty against Burnley — but if he channels it the right way, there’s a world-class player there.”

It was classic Gerrard analysis: supportive, honest, and rooted in experience.

Liverpool Closing In on Champions League Last 16

Beyond the talking point of the free-kick, the win itself was hugely significant. Liverpool’s 3-0 victory in Marseille keeps them firmly on course for automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16.

For a team in transition under a new manager, these nights matter. Slot’s Liverpool are still shaping their identity, but performances like this — controlled, professional, and tactically sharp — suggest they are learning quickly.

The Reds now turn their attention back to domestic matters, sitting fourth in the Premier League and preparing for a tricky away trip to Bournemouth. With the chasing pack close behind, momentum is vital.

Szoboszlai’s goal may have looked simple, but it symbolised something bigger: preparation, trust in the process, and a player growing into responsibility.

On a loud night in Marseille, Liverpool kept their heads. One clever free-kick, rolled calmly under a wall, told the story of a team that plans carefully — and a midfielder confident enough to act when the moment arrives.