Liverpool’s Champions League Performance Against Bologna: A Tactical Overview

Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Bologna in the Champions League was a game filled with both brilliance and frustration, as analysed by Dave Hendrick, Hari Sethi, and Trev Downey on Anfield Index’s post-match raw podcast. While the Reds secured the three points, there were clear signs that Arne Slot’s team still has work to do in tightening its defensive play. In this blog, we’ll delve into the key takeaways from the match, focusing on Liverpool’s attacking prowess, defensive vulnerabilities, and what this performance means for their Champions League prospects.

Strong Start but Missed Opportunities

From the outset, Liverpool looked the dominant force at Anfield, playing with intensity and purpose. As Hari Sethi remarked, “I was really impressed by the start actually, I thought the intensity was clearly there.” The hosts set the tone early with some crisp passing, a quality that had been missing in previous games. Dave Hendrick commented on the team’s fluidity, saying, “We did play some scintillating football at times. There’s another world in which we win that game five or six nil.”

However, while Liverpool looked promising going forward, they missed several opportunities to kill the game early. Hendrick noted, “Our finishing is a bit better, the final pass is better, and that’s a 5-0 or 6-0 scoreline.” These wasted chances, especially from Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez, became a recurring theme. Salah, despite his assist and goal, had moments where his final pass or touch let him down, with Trev Downey quipping, “It was just a perfect moment to sum up what was nowhere near a perfect performance.”

Defensive Vulnerabilities

While Liverpool’s attacking play showed glimpses of brilliance, their defensive frailties were once again exposed. Hendrick observed that “our greatest enemy is not the opposition but rather ourselves,” pointing out that Liverpool seemed too open at times. This openness, particularly in transitions, allowed Bologna to create dangerous opportunities. Hari Sethi echoed this concern, stating, “We are too open at times.”

Slot’s high-pressing style has revitalised the team, but it also leaves gaps in defence. Liverpool’s opponents, despite being underdogs, managed to hit the woodwork twice and create several dangerous chances. Hendrick was candid in his analysis, saying, “It’s going to be problematic when we come up against better teams.”

Slot’s Tactical Choices

Slot’s approach to rotation and workload management was a topic of discussion. Unlike Jurgen Klopp, Slot adheres to the Dutch theory of sports periodisation, which allows players to play more games by lightening their training workload. Hendrick explained this by referring to Slot’s track record, “He didn’t rotate a whole ton at Feyenoord… He played his best 11 as often as possible.” This method is different from what Liverpool fans are used to under Klopp, where heavy rotation was a feature to avoid injuries. However, so far, Slot’s approach has kept players fit and performing at a high level.

Hari Sethi praised the new manager’s fresh ideas, noting, “What’s been nice about that is it’s passed the eye test. I’m hearing a lot of that from the new manager.”

Champions League Outlook

With two wins from two in the Champions League, Liverpool find themselves in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages. However, as Hendrick pointed out, “We were fortunate enough tonight that they didn’t have the players to hurt us.” The Reds will need to shore up defensively before they face tougher opposition in the later stages of the tournament.

Slot’s managerial start at Liverpool has been impressive, with Hendrick stating, “He’s the first manager to win eight of his first nine Liverpool games.” Despite this, the team’s defensive frailties, particularly in their out-of-possession shape, remain a concern that could become costly in more high-profile matches.

Liverpool’s performance against Bologna was a microcosm of their current season – moments of attacking brilliance, defensive lapses, and a tactical shift under new manager Arne Slot. While they comfortably secured the win, the match revealed areas for improvement. Slot’s philosophy of sports periodisation may allow Liverpool to maintain their intensity across the season, but only time will tell if the lack of rotation leads to long-term success.

As the Champions League progresses, Liverpool’s ability to tighten up defensively and maintain their attacking threat will determine how far they can go in the competition. For now, the signs are positive, but as Hendrick rightly summarised, “We made it a lot harder work than it needed to be.”