The Champions League spotlight falls on the Orange Vélodrome on Wednesday as Marseille host Liverpool in a high-stakes Matchday 7 encounter.
Liverpool enter this tie in ninth place. They sit just outside the automatic qualification spots on goal difference. Domestic form casts a shadow over Anfield. This persists despite a clinical European victory at Inter Milan. A draw with Burnley on Saturday compounded matters. The Reds failed to beat any promoted side at home this season.
Meanwhile, Marseille act as the entertainers under Roberto De Zerbi. They currently occupy 12th position in the table. The visitors arrive buoyed by a ruthless 5–2 domestic victory. Consecutive European wins have also reignited their hopes.
Marseille vs Liverpool – Match Preview and Team News
- Date: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Venue: Orange Vélodrome, Marseille
- Referee: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
- VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)
- Last Meeting: Liverpool 1–0 Marseille (Nov 2008), Champions League
Team News
Marseille
Roberto De Zerbi has a nearly full squad at his disposal for this midweek clash. Veteran defender Benjamin Pavard is expected to miss out with an injury, though Nayef Aguerd is back following the AFCON final. The hosts are set to rely on Brazilian winger Igor Paixão, the club’s leading European scorer this term with four goals, alongside a potent attack featuring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mason Greenwood.
Liverpool
Arne Slot is dealing with several significant absences ahead of the trip to France. Conor Bradley (knee) is out for the season, joining Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni on the long-term injury list. Ibrahima Konaté did not travel with the squad due to a family matter, which likely leaves Joe Gomez to partner Virgil van Dijk. In a massive boost for the visitors, Mohamed Salah has returned from AFCON duty and is expected to start on the right wing.
Form
Marseille
Marseille enter the contest as a high-octane attacking unit that has averaged 4.2 goals over their last five matches across all competitions. Notably, this fixture pits the two longest active streaks without a draw in Champions League history against each other: Marseille (30 games) and Liverpool (27 games).
Furthermore, only Kylian Mbappé has more goal involvements in the competition this term than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has tallied three goals and four assists. Defensively, however, Marseille have conceded at least three xG in four of their six matches, suggesting vulnerabilities that Liverpool’s high-pressure system may exploit.
Liverpool
Liverpool have been uncharacteristically consistent yet underwhelming of late, currently on a 12-match unbeaten run that includes four straight Premier League draws. The Reds lead the competition for pressures applied in the opposition penalty area (313) and boast the competition’s top “goal preventer” in David Raya, who has prevented +7.3 goals since the start of last season.
Captain Virgil van Dijk remains an aerial force, maintaining the highest success rate in the current edition at 83%. In midfield, Curtis Jones continues to provide ball security with a 92% pass accuracy under high-intensity pressure.
Predicted Lineups
Marseille Predicted XI: Rulli; Murillo, Aguerd, Medina; Weah, Højbjerg, O’Riley, Emerson; Greenwood, Aubameyang, Paixão
Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitiké
How to Watch Marseille vs Liverpool?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, with streaming available via the discovery+ app. US fans can watch via Paramount+.
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