Liverpool on Wednesday eased to a 3-0 win at Olympique de Marseille in the UEFA Champions League, as Harry Kane’s double earned Bayern Munich a 2-0 victory against Union Saint-Gilloise that secured a place in the last 16 for the German giants.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches in all competitions since a 4-1 hammering at home by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in November last year.
Mohamed Salah made his first appearance for his club since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, but he was not among the scorers.
Photo: AFP
Instead it was Dominik Szoboszlai who got the breakthrough just before halftime with a clever free-kick that went under the wall.
“I did my homework and got told that if no one is lying down, then I can hit it under the wall. I tried it and it worked out,” the Hungarian said.
Hugo Ekitike hit the bar before the second goal arrived on 72 minutes when Jeremie Frimpong’s ball into the middle went in off goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Substitute Cody Gakpo wrapped up the win at the death, leaving Liverpool fourth in the 36-team standings, and in a position to clinch a last-16 place by beating Qarabag next week.
Meanwhile, Bayern joined table-toppers Arsenal in guaranteeing a top-eight finish with a game to spare, and therefore a last-16 spot, as they saw off the Belgian champions at the Allianz Arena.
Newcastle United were too strong for PSV at St James’ Park, running out 3-0 winners after Yoane Wissa got an early opener and Anthony Gordon made it two on the half-hour. Harvey Barnes then fired in the third on 65 minutes, and Newcastle are in the top eight before completing the league phase away to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain next week.
Chelsea are eighth after edging out Cypriot minnows Pafos 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, while Barcelona are among the teams involved in the fight for direct last-16 access after they came from behind to defeat Slavia Prague 4-2.
Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 away to Galatasaray in Istanbul, and Atalanta BC’s top-eight hopes were hit as they lost 3-2 at home to Athletic Bilbao.
Juventus continued their Champions League recovery with a third straight European win, beating SL Benfica 2-0, while surprise package Qarabag are on course to make the playoffs after beating Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 in Baku.
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