Spotlight on two in-form forwards, Marseille and Liverpool: Greenwood faces Ekiteke ahead of the decisive UCL match.
On 20 January 2026, Liverpool is scheduled to play the 7th match of the UEFA Champions League league phase, visiting Olympique Marseille at Stade Vélodrome on Wednesday, 21 January at 03:00 AM Thailand time (early Thursday morning). This game is crucial for the Reds’ path to the knockout stage.
Although Liverpool's recent form appears strong with an unbeaten streak of 12 matches across all competitions, frequent draws have prevented an overall satisfactory performance.
Currently, Liverpool ranks 9th in the league phase with 12 points, tied with teams in 6th to 8th place but behind on goal difference. Therefore, they must secure full points in their remaining two matches to finish in the top eight, guaranteeing automatic progression to the knockout stage and avoiding the playoff round.
Meanwhile, hosts Olympique Marseille stand 16th with 9 points but still have a chance to advance if they win both remaining matches, especially this key encounter.
Two in-form forwards: Marseille vs. Liverpool
A highlight of this game is the showdown between two forwards currently at their peak form.
Mason Greenwood The 24-year-old right winger for Marseille is at the peak of his career. The former Manchester United academy product has been prolific this season, playing 26 matches with 20 goals and 6 assists. Notably, he has scored 3 goals in 6 UEFA Champions League matches, making him Marseille’s most important weapon in this game.
For Liverpool, the attacking hopes rest on Hugo Ekiteke The 23-year-old striker has been the most consistent forward for Liverpool despite the team's scoring issues this season. Ekiteke has played 28 matches across all competitions, scoring 12 goals with 3 assists, finding the net in every competition he has played. In the Champions League, he has scored once in the match where Liverpool thrashed his former club Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1.
