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FRIDAY | JAN 23, 2026

Malaysian Paper

L IVERPOOL eased to a 3-0 win in Marseille in the Champions League yes terday 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. Mohamed Salah made his first appearance for his club since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, but he was not among the scorers. “It says a lot about how big a professional he is that he can be away for more than a month with a different team and be so fit to play 90 for us after one day’s training,” added Slot. “He was so close to a goal, it would usually be a goal from him, but it didn’t harm us because we scored three.” Instead it was Dominik Szoboszlai who got the breakthrough just before half-time with a clever freekick 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 goal keeper 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. “It’s very important because we have had to play with the same players because of injuries for most of the season,” said Slot after his side extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches, currently the best in Europe’s top-five leagues. “That could be the reason why we have run out of energy in some of the games when we’ve conceded. “I don’t think Virgil (van Dijk) has had more than three days off, the same for Ryan (Gravenberch) and others but they constantly show up no matter how many setbacks we’ve had this season. “It’s always very difficult to play Marseille because of their passionate fans and the quality of their players, but what makes it even harder is the quality of their manager. “We were prepared for that. We took the ball off them three or four times in the first half but couldn’t find the player who was completely free, apart from one time and he (Hugo Ekitike) was fractionally offside. “On the ball we were controlled but what made the difference this time was that after we

… as Bayern reach C. League last 16 Liverpool cruise

had a big chance and hit the post, they had a big chance and put it over: usually this season that goes in. Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi was unhappy with his team’s performance. “We played poorly, conceding a silly goal before halftime,” he said. “We lost possession too often in the middle because we misunderstood the game, we mis judged their pressing. We had a few chances that we didn’t manage well. We still have too many ups and downs in our matches.” 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. Kane headed in to open the scoring early in the second half, then won and converted a penalty on 55 minutes. Kim Min-jae was sent off for the home side before Kane squandered the chance to score a hattrick by sending another penalty off the woodwork – he nevertheless has seven goals in seven Champions League games this season, and 34 in all competitions. “We scored at the right times, were a bit unlucky with the red card but even after that when we went down to 10 men we controlled the game well and earned the three points,” Kane told DAZN . 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. “We are in very good company,” said Eddie Howe. Yet the mass of teams on their shoulder means victory in France is probably required for direct passage into the last 16. We have one of the most difficult if not the most difficult last game and we were well aware of that,” added Howe. It is a repeat of the fixture when a controver sial injury-time penalty cost them victory in 2023. “A painful end,” said the Newcastle man ager. Memories will be stirred again. Atalanta’s top-eight hopes were hit as they lost 3-2 at home to Athletic Bilbao, with the Basque side reviving their hopes of making the playoff round. Juventus continued their Champions League recovery with a third straight European win, beating Benfica 2-0 thanks to second-half goals by Khephren Thuram and Weston McKennie. However, surprise package Qarabag are on course to make the playoffs after beating Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 in Baku. All 18 matches in the final round of games will be played simultaneously on Jan 29. – AFP/The Independent

Marseille’s Amine Gouiri (centre) battles for the ball with Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch (left) during the Champions League match at the Stade Vélodrome yesterday. – AFPPIC

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