Image source: Liverpool fc
Introduction
Liverpool continued their flawless start to the Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Bologna at Anfield on Wednesday night. The victory marks their second win in as many games in the new-look league phase of the competition, with goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah sealing all three points for the Reds. It was a game full of drama, with Bologna striking the woodwork twice, but Liverpool’s clinical finishing ultimately made the difference.
A Bright Start for Liverpool at a Record-Breaking Anfield
Liverpool’s return to Anfield for Champions League football after a one-season absence was met with a buzzing atmosphere from the home crowd. The attendance of 59,816 was a record for European competition at the stadium, and the fans were nearly treated to an early goal just two minutes in.
Ryan Gravenberch, lively from the start, surged into the box and slid a low cross towards the goalmouth after receiving a reverse pass from Salah. Dominik Szoboszlai tried to finish with a backheel flick, but the Hungarian couldn’t get enough on the ball to turn it into the net. It was a sign of things to come, as Liverpool began the match with a high tempo and looked dangerous in the early stages.
Mac Allister’s Early Strike Gives Liverpool the Lead
Despite Liverpool’s dominance in the opening exchanges, it was Bologna who thought they had taken the lead in the ninth minute when Thijs Dallinga broke behind the Reds’ defense and finished past Alisson Becker. However, the Bologna forward’s celebrations were short-lived, as the linesman’s flag went up for offside.
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Liverpool wasted no time in capitalizing on their reprieve. Just a minute later, they took the lead through Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine midfielder, heavily involved in the build-up, played the ball out wide to Darwin Nunez, who expertly switched the play to Mohamed Salah on the right edge of the box. The Egyptian maestro delivered a perfectly weighted cross for Mac Allister’s darting run into the box, and he slotted home with a one-touch finish from close range.
The goal put Liverpool in the driver’s seat, but the visitors from Italy were determined to make their presence felt.
Bologna’s Response: Twice Striking the Woodwork
Bologna, to their credit, responded well to going behind. They began to press Liverpool high and looked to create chances of their own. In the 28th minute, they came agonizingly close to equalizing when Remo Freuler’s deflected shot looped up off Ibrahima Konate and struck the top of the crossbar. It was the first of several warning signs for the Reds, as Bologna ramped up the pressure.
Just minutes later, Bologna came even closer when Riccardo Orsolini’s header at the back post was blocked in a scramble inside the box. The ball then fell to Dan Ndoye, whose low drive smashed against the outside of the post, leaving Liverpool lucky not to concede.
Alisson was also called into action before the half-time whistle, producing a fine reflex save to deny Kacper Urbanski’s effort from inside the penalty area. Liverpool’s defense, though under pressure, held firm, and they went into the break with a slender 1-0 lead.
A Competitive Second Half as Bologna Push for an Equalizer
The second half began much like the first, with Bologna pushing forward in search of a goal. Once again, Liverpool’s Brazilian shot-stopper, Alisson, had to be sharp to keep the Reds ahead. This time, he was called upon to block a first-time shot from Orsolini at his near post after a well-worked set-piece from the visitors.
Sensing that the game was still hanging in the balance, Liverpool manager Arne Slot made his first change on the hour mark, bringing on Diogo Jota to replace Darwin Nunez. Jota’s energy and work rate immediately added a spark to Liverpool’s attack, with the Portuguese forward involved in some dangerous attacking moves.
Mohamed Salah, always a threat, was inches away from doubling Liverpool’s lead when he curled a shot just wide of the post following some excellent work from Gravenberch on the right flank. However, Salah wouldn’t be denied for long.
Salah’s Stunning Strike Seals the Win for Liverpool
As the match entered the final 15 minutes, Mohamed Salah delivered the knockout blow that sealed the points for Liverpool. After Jota broke through the center, the ball was worked out to Szoboszlai on the right. The Hungarian passed to Salah, who used Trent Alexander-Arnold’s overlapping run as a decoy to cut inside past two defenders. With typical composure, Salah curled a sublime shot into the top corner from just outside the box, leaving Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski with no chance.
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The goal was a moment of pure class from the Egyptian, who has made a habit of scoring crucial goals for Liverpool on the biggest stages. His strike put the game beyond doubt and ensured that the Reds would maintain their 100 per cent record in the Champions League this season.
A Hard-Fought Win Against a Determined Bologna Side
Although Liverpool finished the game with a two-goal cushion, the contest was anything but easy. Bologna showed plenty of attacking intent and could easily have found themselves on the scoresheet had it not been for some near misses and the outstanding form of Alisson Becker. Twice hitting the woodwork and creating several other good chances, the visitors will feel unfortunate to have left Anfield empty-handed.
Image source: Liverpool fc
For Liverpool, however, it was a case of getting the job done in a challenging encounter. The Reds showed resilience at the back, especially when under pressure, and produced moments of real quality when it mattered most. Salah’s brilliance and Mac Allister’s cool finishing were the difference-makers in a game that saw Liverpool maintain their momentum in Europe.
Conclusion
The performance of the team, while not flawless, demonstrated the growing cohesion within Arne Slot’s side. The defense, marshalled by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, held firm under sustained pressure, and Alisson’s crucial saves helped preserve the clean sheet. In midfield, Mac Allister and Gravenberch were heavily involved in both attack and defense, while Szoboszlai provided creative sparks throughout the game.
With two wins from two in the Champions League group phase, Liverpool now have six points on the board and sit in a commanding position to qualify for the knockout rounds. They’ll look to carry this form into their upcoming Premier League fixtures as they continue their quest for success on multiple fronts this season.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com