Liverpool took a big step towards automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday as Mohamed Salah returned in a 3-0 victory at Marseille.

Dominik Szoboszlai put the six-time European champions ahead on the stroke of half-time before a Geronimo Rulli own goal and Cody Gakpo strike added gloss to the scoreline in the second period.

Arne Slot's men, now unbeaten in 13 matches, climbed to fourth in the 36-team table and will secure a top-eight finish with a win over Azeri side Qarabag at Anfield next week.

"We always keep saying it after a win or a good result," captain Virgil van Dijk said of Liverpool's attempts to build momentum in a difficult season so far for the Premier League winners.

"Fully focus on recovery now and then we go to Bournemouth (on Saturday) and they're hard to beat. We have to be more than ready. We fly back tomorrow. On to the next."

A surprisingly toothless display from Roberto De Zerbi's OM left them in 19th and with work to do at Club Brugge in their final league match to reach the knockout play-off round.

Salah made his first start for Liverpool since November, after being dropped to the bench by Slot before helping Egypt reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

The Egyptian accused the club of throwing him "under the bus" which led to him being left out of the squad for their previous Champions League game at Inter Milan. (AFP).