Hojbjerg warns Liverpool not to underestimate Marseille

Liverpool have been warned not to look past Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Marseille, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg saying the Reds will have problems if they do so.

Arne Slot’s team topped the 36-team league stage last season but were eliminated in the round of 16, having landed a tricky draw against eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.

They are in the running for automatic qualification to the round of 16 again this term, only sitting outside the top eight on goals scored ahead of their final two matches.

Those games are at the Stade Velodrome and at home to Qarabag, with Marseille likely to provide the sterner test.

Roberto De Zerbi’s team also occupy a play-off place at present, sitting 16th in the standings and three points behind Liverpool – a victory would see them leapfrog the Reds.

On the domestic front, Liverpool are still battling to qualify for the 2026-27 Champions League, with a trip to Bournemouth on the horizon on Saturday.

And Hojbjerg – who played in the Premier League for Tottenham and Southampton – is sure Marseille will capitalise on any lack of focus from their visitors.

“When you play in England, people often say it’s the best league in the world,” the Denmark midfielder told reporters on Tuesday.

“If Liverpool think this weekend’s game is more important than tomorrow’s, that’s their problem. For us, this is very important, just like the one against Angers this weekend.

“Tomorrow, we can say that football will be celebrated. We will see two extraordinary clubs with passion and history, in an extraordinary setting.

“Everyone will come with a smile. I hope that everyone wearing the Marseille jersey and with Marseille blood will leave with a smile.”