UCL Preview: OM welcome Liverpool in historic encounter
In a Champions League match between two historic sides, Olympique de Marseille host Liverpool FC with plenty on the line. Read on for our preview of tomorrow's clash at the Vélodrôme.
All focus on Europe for l'OM
After frustrating defeats to Paris Saint-Gemain in the Trophée des Champions and FC Nantes in Ligue 1 McDonald's, Olympique de Marseille have vehemently silenced any critics with their last two matches. Last weekend's 9-0 win over amateurs Bayeux in the Coupe de France was impressive enough, but their 5-1 win over Angers in the league was even more so, with each of the attacking quartet finding the net, including in-form Amine Gouiri.
While Saturday's tilt with Lens will surely be in the back of their minds, but given the rotated side they played against Angers, the focus for Roberto de Zerbi and his side is clearly this match. A win all but secure progress to the knockout rounds, and the manger underscored that in today's press conference, saying, "I have never prepared for a match with the aim of getting a draw. We prepare for it and we play to win. If we don't all run together, we won't win; this is especially important for the forwards."
While de Zerbi will have to contend with the continued absence of Nayef Aguerd because of his participation in AFCON, he will otherwise have his pick of his squad, with his only big dilemma a choice between Gouiri and veteran Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line, giving OM every opportunity to continue to display their attacking verve.
Last one before Liverpool 🏴💪#OMLFC | ⚪️🔵 | @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/kxRhVhaGGB
— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) January 20, 2026
Liverpool continue to wobble
As for the visitors, while Liverpool were imperious in last year's Champions League and domestically, the current campaign has been -- to be generous -- a different story. While a win here could leave them as high as second place in the league phase, their domestic form has been indifferent. Save beating third-tier Barnsley in the FA Cup, Liverpool's last two wins date back before the calendar year and even those were against nine-man Spurs and bottom side Wolves.
Liverpool have struggled to find the net in the league, but it's been a different situation in Europe, as they've not only ground out wins over the likes of Inter and Real Madrid, but scored three goals against Atletico Madrid and five against Eintracht Frankfurt, offering reminders of their attacking potential that OM will have to be wary of.
Predicted lineups:
Olympique de Marseille (4-2-3-1): Rulli; Pavard (or Murillo), Balerdi, Medina, Emerson; Kondogbia, Højberg; Weah, Greenwood, Paixão; Gouiri (or Aubameyang)
Liverpool FC (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson (or Kerkez); Gravenberch, MacAllister; Salah, Szoboszlai; Wirtz; Ekitiké
