Liverpool claimed their second Champions League win as they beat Bologna 2-0 at Anfield. Under the leadership of Arne Slot, he has won eight of the nine matches so far.
After Liverpool dealt with seven-time winners AC Milan in the opening match of the league stage of the competition, another Italian side awaited them, but this time it was Bologna, who are playing in the Champions League for the first time. After the initial pressure from the home side, it was the Rossoblú who were the first to celebrate the goal. Thijs Dallinga made a breakaway and sent the ball past Alisson, but his third career goal against Liverpool was denied by an offside flag. The Reds took the warning seriously and responded. Mohamed Salah sent the ball to the back post where Alexis Mac Allister tapped it into the goal.
Liverpool looked set to extend their lead, Darwin Núñez came close but his goal was disallowed for offside. Bologna improved after that and threatened with chances of their own. In the first one, Riccardo Orsolini headed in a corner kick, but the ball was blocked by his own teammate. Dan Ndoye then hit the crossbar and the hosts went into the locker room with a one-goal lead.
The guests entered the second half well and again Orsolini checked goalkeeper Alisson from a free kick. At the other end, Bologna captain Remo Freuler knocked the ball inches wide of his own goal after Liverpool’s corner. Slot was clearly concerned that his team couldn’t replicate the intensity of the first half, so he brought on Cody Gakpo and Kostas Tsimikas. The changes turned the tide in the Reds’ favor as Salah made it 2-0 within minutes as he did what he does best. He pulled the ball in from the right and curled it brilliantly into the far corner.
This goal took the wind out of the Rossoblu’s sails and Liverpool controlled the game in the final quarter of an hour. He thus claimed his second victory. Bologna, on the other hand, did not win in the opening two matches and will visit England again next time, where they will face Aston Villa.
