Liverpool made it two wins from two in the Champions League as they claimed a hard-fought win over Bologna at Anfield.
The Reds looked like they might cruise to victory when Alexis Mac Allister capped a dominant start by scoring with 11 minutes gone.
However, an obstinate Bologna made things difficult from there, with Mohamed Salah only putting the seal on the win with a brilliant strike in the 75th minute.
How the game unfolded
Having started somewhat slowly last time out at Wolves, Liverpool looked far sharper from the off here, with a Ryan Gravenberch ball across the box almost turned home by both Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz moments after kick-off.
And the Reds had their opener with just 11 minutes gone, Mac Allister tucking away an unmissable Salah cross inside the six-yard box.
The hosts almost quickly doubled their advantage as Darwin Nunez saw a goal ruled out for offside before Szoboszlai rolled an effort past the post after slick build-up.
But the dominant nature of their start appeared to lead to complacency, allowing Bologna to get a foothold as the first half progressed.
To that end, they hit the woodwork twice in quick successions, Dan Nodye striking the bar and then the post as Liverpool struggled to clear their lines.
A Trent Alexander-Arnold giveaway then resulted in Kacper Urbanski forcing Alisson Becker into a smart save before Arne Slot’s team began to reassert themselves just before half-time.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, the break seemed to further energize Bologna, and they went close to leveling when Riccardo Orsolini hit Alisson with a shot from the left-hand side of the area soon after the restart.
But for all the issues the Reds were having in surpassing a man-to-man press, they were still giving up very few high-quality opportunities and needed only one of their own to seal the result.
In the end, that came to Salah, who used Alexander-Arnold’s overlapping run as a decoy to run to the center of the box before smashing a beautiful curler home.
From there, Liverpool had little trouble in seeing out a deserved win.
GK: Alisson Becker – 7/10 – Made a number of smart saves and important claims to keep Bologna at bay during their best moments.
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Player of the match – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
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## Conclusion
Overall, Liverpool’s victory over Bologna in the Champions League was a well-deserved result for a team that displayed dominance and resilience on the field. From a strong start with Mac Allister’s early goal to Salah’s stunning strike to seal the win, the Reds showed their quality and determination. Manager Arne Slot’s tactics paid off, and the players executed the game plan effectively.
Despite Bologna’s strong efforts to make things difficult for Liverpool, the Reds maintained control and saw out the game with a solid performance. The substitutions made by Slot also contributed to the team’s success, showcasing the depth and talent within the squad.
Looking ahead, Liverpool’s fans can be optimistic about their team’s form and prospects in the Champions League. With key players like Salah leading the way, the Reds have the potential to go far in the competition and compete with the best teams in Europe. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Liverpool as they continue their pursuit of silverware.
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