Liverpool Edge Bologna 2-0: Champions League Campaign on Track

In their latest UEFA Champions League fixture, Liverpool emerged victorious with a confident 2-0 win over Bologna, moving ever closer to securing their place in the top eight. Arne Slot’s men, having collected six points from two games, displayed moments of brilliance despite some areas for improvement. As Dave Davis remarked in the Daily Red Podcast, “We’re two from two,” clearly signalling Liverpool’s strong start. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from the game and how Liverpool fared against a Bologna side that offered some resistance.

Mo Salah: The Egyptian King Continues His Reign

Mo Salah’s presence on the pitch once again proved vital. With his goal in the second half, Salah broke Didier Drogba’s record to become the top African goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League. “He’s now on 45, overtaking Drogba’s 44,” Davis highlighted. The Egyptian star, whom Davis dubbed “a walking demigod,” continues to shine brightly for Liverpool, notching up six goals and five assists in nine games this season.

Salah’s goal, described as “a fantastic finish,” came from a well-placed cross by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Reflecting on Salah’s contributions, Davis added, “The curler into the top corner last night, that almost felt like the ghost of 17/18 was back, didn’t it?”

Ryan Gravenberch Impresses Again

Ryan Gravenberch continues to impress in Liverpool colours, delivering a stellar performance against Bologna. Described as “brilliant” by Davis, Gravenberch was pivotal in midfield, combining vision with technical ability. Davis praised the Dutchman’s performance: “Nine recoveries, most passes into the final third, 100% of his tackles won, three out of four dribbles—he was showing his intent from the first seconds of this game.”

Gravenberch’s work rate and intelligent movement in the middle of the park, especially when combined with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, have given Liverpool a new dimension. As Davis put it, “That midfield balance between you, Maca, and Gravenberch is working wonders.”

Bologna’s Tactics Test Liverpool’s Resilience

Despite the win, the podcast touched upon moments where Bologna applied pressure, especially with their aggressive man-to-man pressing. This led to some challenges, particularly in the final phase of the first half, where Davis observed, “There was a spell in the game where we didn’t control, and they were threatening us more than I would like to see.” He added, “Allison and Trent’s decision-making wasn’t the best at times.”

However, Liverpool managed to maintain their composure and exploit the spaces left behind by Bologna’s high pressing, a strategy that earned them joy on more than one occasion. With Liverpool’s quality, such as Trent’s assists and Salah’s finishing, they ultimately outclassed the Italian side.

Arne Slot: Liverpool’s New Taskmaster

Under the watchful eye of Arne Slot, Liverpool are evolving into a well-oiled machine. As Davis discussed, Slot is not one to settle for less than perfection: “You are always aiming for perfection, but you will never reach it,” Slot admitted after the game. This relentless pursuit of excellence has Liverpool performing consistently across all competitions, and fans have begun to warm to Slot’s approach, even if he remains a “harsh taskmaster,” as Davis put it.

With Slot, the future of Liverpool looks promising. The manager’s high standards, paired with his tactical flexibility, have transformed Liverpool into serious contenders not only in the Champions League but also domestically.

Next Stop: The Road Ahead for Liverpool

Liverpool’s victory over Bologna means they are in a strong position in their group. However, tougher tests lie ahead, with October shaping up to be a crucial month for Slot’s team. As Davis warned, “There are tougher tests to come,” but with the squad’s depth, including the likes of Salah, Gravenberch, and Szoboszlai, the Reds are well-equipped to handle what’s next.

In conclusion, while the win over Bologna wasn’t without its challenges, Liverpool’s quality shone through. As the season progresses, Arne Slot’s men will undoubtedly continue to build on their positive start, with fans eagerly watching to see how far this team can go.