Targets from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah had been sufficient to see off a plucky Bologna facet within the Champions League to make sure Liverpool’s sturdy begin below new supervisor Arne Slot continues.
Victory in what was his first European recreation at Anfield means Slot has now made historical past as the primary Liverpool supervisor or head coach to win eight of his opening 9 matches.
The Premier League leaders dominated their Italian opponents for big components of the competition however Bologna twice hit the woodwork and had an early purpose dominated out for offside in what was a spirited efficiency from the Serie A outfit.
Slot’s facet themselves had a purpose chalked off however a strike from from Mac Allister within the first half and an exquisite effort within the second from the prolific Salah maintained the host’s good file in Europe up to now this time period.
The way it occurred
At his pre-match press convention on Tuesday, Slot insisted he wouldn’t settle for mediocrity from his crew.
And from the off, the Liverpool gamers, buoyed by a typically-roaring Anfield environment, appeared to heed their supervisor’s warning as they started the match in electrifying style.
Inside two minutes, a neat alternate between Ryan Gravenberch and Salah culminated within the Dutch worldwide driving a harmful cross into the field that eluded Luis Diaz earlier than being frantically cleared.
Slot’s facet shortly started to say their dominance on the sport whereas Bologna, very a lot the underdogs earlier than kick-off of their debut season within the Champions League, struggled to deal with the velocity of the host’s play.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Serie A facet silenced the house crowd when, on eight minutes, striker Thijs Dallinga discovered the again of the web just for the purpose to be dominated out for offside.
However, simply over a minute later, Liverpool obtained a deserved opener.
After a slick passing transfer, Salah’s floated cross was met by Alexis Mac Allister contained in the six yard field to thump house for his first Champions League purpose.
That ball from Salah 😮💨
Alexis Mac Allister provides Liverpool an early lead at Anfield 💪
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/tFciBfm15D
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) October 2, 2024
Liverpool then had a purpose disallowed themselves when Darwin Nunez, returning to the beginning line-up after sickness, was put by means of on purpose just for the linesman to boost his flag.
Dominik Szoboszlai sliced an effort narrowly huge moments later earlier than the offside flag was once more raised after Dan Ndoye’s deflected shot crashed off the crossbar.
It was an effort that abruptly appeared to spark Bologna into life.
The more and more full of life Ndoye hit the woodwork once more when his try rattled the skin of the publish shortly earlier than Kacper Urbanski stung the gloves of Alisson, who was making his fiftieth European look in purpose for Liverpool in Europe.
The second half noticed Liverpool once more largely management proceedings, whereas Alisson was not often troubled by the guests.
Kacper Urbanski wasted a superb likelihood for Bologna when he blasted a shot excessive into the stands from the sting of the field.
Salah, who scored 5 objectives in three video games in opposition to Bologna whereas enjoying for Roma, then curled an effort simply previous the publish.
Diogo Jota changed Nunez on the hour mark but it surely was Salah who get his title on the scoresheet when he discovered himself afforded far an excessive amount of house on the correct of the penalty space.
There’s no stopping that 👑
Mo Salah with an unbelievable left-footed strike into the highest nook 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Qy7y08pCzL
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) October 2, 2024
Reducing inside, the Liverpool marksman arrowed a superb strike together with his deadly left foot into the far nook to double Liverpool’s lead and wrap up the competition.
In doing so, he grew to become first Liverpool participant to attain in 5 consecutive Champions League house video games on what was the membership’s 250th match in European competitions.
A difficult go to to Leipzig awaits Slot’s crew in a fortnight, whereas Bologna return to England once they tackle Aston Villa.
