Arne Slot’s first home Champions League match as Liverpool boss ended in victory as goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah helped the Reds defeat battling Italian side Bologna at Anfield.
Slot became the first man in Liverpool’s distinguished history to win eight of his first nine games in charge, but his side had to survive some nervous moments in this hard-fought match.
The hosts scored in the 12th minute when Mac Allister was able to convert from close range following Salah’s excellent low cross from the right side.
Both sides had potential goals ruled out for offside – Thijs Dallinga for Bologna and Darwin Nunez for Liverpool – before the Italians, in their first ever Champions League campaign and only their second time in European football’s top competition, ended the first half well.
Dan Ndoye hit the post and Bologna capitalised on an error from Trent Alexander-Arnold in his own penalty area, before Alisson saved to deny Kacper Urbanski.
The visitors continued to create chances after the break, with Alisson saving well from Riccardo Orsolini and Urbanski firing over when well placed.
But the hosts sealed the win in style with Salah’s 49th Champions League goal, cutting in on to his left foot and curling a wonderful shot into the top corner to ensure Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer, continued his fine start to his tenure.
Liverpool are top of the Premier League and this victory follows a 3-1 away success over another Italian side, AC Milan, in the opening round of Champions League fixtures to give Slot’s side six points from six.
They still have six more matches to come in the league phase, including home matches against German champions Bayer Leverkusen, managed by ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, and 15-time European champions Real Madrid.
But they have made a perfect start to the competition and are fifth in the 36-team table, already in a strong position to push for automatic qualification to the last 16.
In Klopp’s almost nine years at Anfield, he won the Champions League, reached two finals, two further quarter-finals and reached the final of the Europa League.
Dutchman Slot, who managed in this tournament last season with Feyenoord, had said earlier this week how much he was looking forward to sampling the famous Anfield atmosphere on European nights.
The reality lived up the hype, further buoyed by a large contingent from Bologna – relishing the chance to witness European competition for the first time since 1999-2000.
“I don’t hope the only thing people remember me for in one, two or three years – you never know how long I’ll be here – they only say, ‘That is the manager who only won eight of his nine games’,” said Slot.
“I’m hoping to do more special things than winning eight out of nine games.
“You will probably never reach perfection. You are always aiming for perfection but you will never reach this.”
