This was no easy victory in Arne Slots first Champions League game at Anfield. Bologna came to play, but goals from Alexis Mac Alister and a trademark finish from Mo Salah secured a 2-0 win. Liverpool now have six points from the opening two games of European football’s premier club competition, with a visit to Leipzig towards the end of October up next.
Darwin Nunez started ahead of Diogo Jota for Anfield’s first European game of the season, and he found the net early on. Sadly, his propensity to be caught offside led to the goal being chalked off. Liverpool though were soon in front, as Mac Alister tapped home a far post cross from Salah. In truth, he couldn’t miss from barely a yard out, but a first Champions League goal for the Argentinian settled some early nerves. The Italian visitors however, never let Liverpool settle. They pressed high, were constantly on top of the player in possession, and were a constant threat.
That threat ultimately changed the games momentum and, for a good 20 minutes, Liverpool, whilst not really hanging on, had some difficult moments. Bologna hit the post and Alisson was a little too often being called into action, with much of the possession taking place in Liverpool’s defensive third.
Half-time probably came at a good time for Liverpool, but even in the opening 10 or 15 minutes of the second half they were never entirely comfortable. They had difficulty keeping hold of the ball when attacking and, as Slot eluded to post-match, the final ball was lacking. Then up stepped Mo Salah.
Receiving the ball wide right, he stepped inside, took aim and, for the umpteenth time, found the top right corner of the net. Trent’s unselfish run creating the space for the strike, but Salah’s quality was the difference. Bologna though continued to probe and perhaps deserved a goal, but Liverpool’s defence, three of whom were booked, kept a clean sheet.
Slot now has eight wins from his first nine games. It’s a great start, though his post-match comments would suggest he was far from happy with his side’s performance against an Italian outfit who may well surprise a few teams this season. He also rightly bemoaned the fact, ala Jurgen Klopp, that his players next face an early Saturday kick-off, away from home in the Premier League.
