Liverpool made it two wins from two within the Champions League on Wednesday night time as they defeated Bologna, 2-0, at Anfield.
The hosts received off to a robust begin when Mohamed Salah’s exact cross discovered Alexis Mac Allister, who loved a easy end to place the Reds 1-0 up.
Dominik Szoboszlai had Liverpool’s subsequent greatest likelihood of the primary half with an effort that he put vast, whereas Bologna had been harmful on a few events, hitting the woodwork twice earlier than Alisson was required to disclaim Kacper Urbanski.
The Serie A facet began brighter within the second half as they loved some promising phases of possession that led to photographs on objective, however when the Reds regained management, Salah doubled their benefit with a high-quality curling effort into the far nook.
Positives
Again-to-back wins means Liverpool are in prime place to safe a prime eight place within the Champions League part. A vibrant show from Salah was additionally capped with a well-taken objective. The Reds’ midfield additionally impressed with their defensive work.
Negatives
Liverpool misplaced management of the sport in spells which might have seen them punished on one other night time. Remaining ball might have additionally been higher at occasions, with quite a lot of counter-attacking alternatives wasted.
Supervisor score (1-10; 10 = greatest)
Arne Slot, 7 — Responded effectively within the second half when Bologna began sturdy and timed his substitutions to assist add extra creativity into his facet. Liverpool’s recreation plan additionally noticed them get into some promising positions regardless of not benefiting from them as a lot as they need to have.
Participant rankings
GK Alisson Becker, 7 — Alisson’s save in opposition to Orlansky ensured that Liverpool went into the break with their lead in test. Denied Orsolini within the second half with a reasonably simple cease.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 6 — Handed out from the again effectively and caught Bologna out with a powerful swap to Salah, although he was booked harshly for a problem that seemed to be unintentional.
DF Ibrahima Konaté, 6 — Robust within the problem and positioned effectively to clear the hazard usually, however booked needlessly for pushing his marker on an attacking nook.
DF Andrew Robertson, 6 — The Scotland worldwide had little to do with Bologna favouring the other flank for almost all of their assaults. Labored exhausting to help his facet in each phases, and was ultimately changed by Kostas Tsimikas within the 72nd minute.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 6 — Alexander-Arnold had some constructive moments when anticipating play earlier than enjoying passes into harmful areas, however he did require the assistance of Alisson after being dispossessed by Dan Ndoye within the first half.
MF Dominik Szoboszlai, 7 — Ought to have achieved extra to get his effort heading in the right direction within the first half after putting vast of the objective. Labored exhausting in midfield when monitoring again, exhibiting good energy to win the ball again on a number of Bologna counter-attacks. Used his tempo to start constructive performs when driving with the ball via central areas, registering the help for Salah’s objective.
MF Alexis Mac Allister, 7 — A well-timed run noticed Alexis Mac Allister get on the top of Salah’s cross to place Liverpool 1-0 up. Made quite a lot of interceptions and battled effectively within the spells through which the Reds had been below strain.
MF Ryan Gravenberch, 7 — One other sturdy efficiency from Gravenberch noticed him select the precise moments to hold the ball via the midfield traces, and he was calm below strain to evade Bologna’s press earlier than progressing the ball forwards.
FW Darwin Núñez, 6 — Held the ball up effectively whereas main the road and was composed for Liverpool’s opener, selecting out Salah in house within the construct up. Had the ball within the internet once more however mistimed his run and was referred to as offside.
FW Luis Díaz, 6 — A quieter recreation from Luis Diaz than typical following some latest spectacular kind, in a recreation throughout which he wasn’t given many alternatives to bother his marker. Ought to have achieved higher to get a shot off when reducing inside however misplaced management of the ball.
FW Mohamed Salah, 8 — A daily risk down the precise flank and registered an help within the tenth minute with a superb in-swinging ball that allowed Mac Allister to attain from close-range. Not too far-off with a curling effort from contained in the field simply after the hour mark, after which scored from the same place with a superb effort into the far nook.
Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes = no score)
Diogo Jota (Nunez, 61″), 6 — Discovered house dribbling in direction of the field within the 74th minute however was shortly crowded out.
Kostas Tsimikas (Robertson, 72″), N/R — Linked effectively when going ahead down the left-flank the place Liverpool had been capable of generate quite a lot of possibilities from. Booked for a problem through which he gained the ball however it was deemed harmful by the referee
Cody Gakpo (Diaz, 72″), N/R — Stretched the play with direct runs in behind the defence, virtually combining with Salah to get a scoring likelihood however was barely offside.
Curtis Jones (Szoboszlai, 86″), N/R — Labored exhausting in the course of the time he was on when urgent Bologna’s midfield as they tried to get a late objective again.
Conor Bradley (Alexander-Arnold, 85″), N/R — On for Alexander-Arnold with Liverpool trying to see out the ultimate minutes.