Liverpool thrash Marseille as Bayern reach Champions League last 16

Liverpool thrashed Marseille 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday 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.

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 (AFCON), but he was not among the scorers.

Instead it was Dominik Szoboszlai who got the breakthrough just before half-time with a clever free-kick that went under the wall.

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.

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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 thanks to a Moises Caicedo header in the 78th minute – as new coach Liam Rosenior enjoyed a win in his first Champions League game.

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, with Giuliano Simeone putting the visitors ahead early on only for a Marcos Llorente own goal to restore parity.

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 play-offs after beating Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 in Baku.

All 18 matches in the final round of games will be played simultaneously next Wednesday, January 28.

The Star