Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah were enough to see off a plucky Bologna side in the Champions League to ensure Liverpool’s strong start under new manager Arne Slot continues.
Victory in what was his first European game at Anfield means Slot has now made history as the first Liverpool manager or head coach to win eight of his opening nine matches.
The Premier League leaders dominated their Italian opponents for large parts of the contest but Bologna twice hit the woodwork and had an early goal ruled out for offside in what was a spirited performance from the Serie A outfit.
Slot’s side themselves had a goal chalked off but a strike from from Mac Allister in the first half and a wonderful effort in the second from the prolific Salah maintained the host’s perfect record in Europe so far this term.
How it happened
At his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Slot insisted he would not accept mediocrity from his team.
And from the off, the Liverpool players, buoyed by a typically-roaring Anfield atmosphere, appeared to heed their manager’s warning as they began the match in electrifying fashion.
Inside two minutes, a neat exchange between Ryan Gravenberch and Salah culminated in the Dutch international driving a dangerous cross into the box that eluded Luis Dias before being frantically cleared.
Slot’s side quickly began to assert their dominance on the game while Bologna, very much the underdogs before kick-off in their debut season in the Champions League, struggled to cope with the speed of the host’s play.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Serie A side silenced the home crowd when, on eight minutes, striker Thijs Dallinga found the back of the net only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
But, just over a minute later, Liverpool got a deserved opener.
After a slick passing move, Salah’s floated cross was met by Alexis Mac Allister inside the six yard box to thump home for his first Champions League goal.
That ball from Salah 😮💨
Alexis Mac Allister gives Liverpool an early lead at Anfield 💪
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/tFciBfm15D
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2024
Liverpool then had a goal disallowed themselves when Darwin Nunez, returning to the starting line-up after illness, was put through on goal only for the linesman to raise his flag.
Dominik Szoboszlai sliced an effort narrowly wide moments later before the offside flag was again raised after Dan Ndoye’s deflected shot crashed off the crossbar.
It was an effort that suddenly seemed to spark Bologna into life.
The increasingly lively Ndoye hit the woodwork again when his attempt rattled the outside of the post shortly before Kacper Urbanski stung the gloves of Alisson, who was making his 50th European appearance in goal for Liverpool in Europe.
The second half saw Liverpool again largely control proceedings, while Alisson was rarely troubled by the visitors.
Kacper Urbanski wasted a good chance for Bologna when he blasted a shot high into the stands from the edge of the box.
Salah, who scored five goals in three games against Bologna while playing for Roma, then curled an effort just past the post.
Diogo Jota replaced Nunez on the hour mark but it was Salah who get his name on the scoresheet when he found himself afforded far too much space on the right of the penalty area.
There’s no stopping that 👑
Mo Salah with an incredible left-footed strike into the top corner 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Qy7y08pCzL
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2024
Cutting inside, the Liverpool marksman arrowed a fabulous strike with his lethal left foot into the far corner to double Liverpool’s lead and wrap up the contest.
In doing so, he became first Liverpool player to score in five consecutive European home games on what was the club’s 250th game in European competitions.
A tricky visit to Leipzig awaits Slot’s team in a fortnight, while Bologna return to England when they take on Aston Villa.
