Liverpool made it two wins from two within the Champions League on Wednesday evening as they defeated Bologna, 2-0, at Anfield.
The hosts obtained 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 finest probability 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 pictures on aim, however when the Reds regained management, Salah doubled their benefit with a superb 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 section. A vibrant show from Salah was additionally capped with a well-taken aim. The Reds’ midfield additionally impressed with their defensive work.
Negatives
Liverpool misplaced management of the sport in spells which may have seen them punished on one other evening. Closing ball may have additionally been higher at occasions, with quite a few counter-attacking alternatives wasted.
Supervisor ranking (1-10; 10 = finest)
Arne Slot, 7 — Responded properly within the second half when Bologna began robust 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 scores
GK Alisson Becker, 7 — Alisson’s save towards Orlansky ensured that Liverpool went into the break with their lead in examine. Denied Orsolini within the second half with a reasonably easy cease.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 6 — Handed out from the again properly and caught Bologna out with a powerful change to Salah, although he was booked harshly for a problem that appeared to be unintentional.
DF Ibrahima Konaté, 6 — Robust within the problem and positioned properly to clear the hazard often, 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 onerous 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 optimistic 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 finished extra to get his effort on track within the first half after hanging vast of the aim. Labored onerous in midfield when monitoring again, displaying good energy to win the ball again on a number of Bologna counter-attacks. Used his tempo to start optimistic performs when driving with the ball via central areas, registering the help for Salah’s aim.
MF Alexis Mac Allister, 7 — A well-timed run noticed Alexis Mac Allister get on the tip of Salah’s cross to place Liverpool 1-0 up. Made quite a few interceptions and battled properly within the spells through which the Reds had been beneath stress.
MF Ryan Gravenberch, 7 — One other robust efficiency from Gravenberch noticed him select the proper moments to hold the ball via the midfield strains, and he was calm beneath stress to evade Bologna’s press earlier than progressing the ball forwards.
FW Darwin Núñez, 6 — Held the ball up properly whereas main the road and was composed for Liverpool’s opener, choosing out Salah in area within the construct up. Had the ball within the internet once more however mistimed his run and was known as offside.
FW Luis Díaz, 6 — A quieter recreation from Luis Diaz than normal following some latest spectacular kind, in a recreation throughout which he wasn’t given many alternatives to hassle his marker. Ought to have finished higher to get a shot off when chopping inside however misplaced management of the ball.
FW Mohamed Salah, 8 — A daily risk down the proper flank and registered an help within the tenth minute with a wonderful in-swinging ball that allowed Mac Allister to attain from close-range. Not too distant with a curling effort from contained in the field simply after the hour mark, after which scored from the same place with a wonderful effort into the far nook.
Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes = no ranking)
Diogo Jota (Nunez, 61″), 6 — Discovered area dribbling in the direction of the field within the 74th minute however was shortly crowded out.
Kostas Tsimikas (Robertson, 72″), N/R — Linked properly when going ahead down the left-flank the place Liverpool had been in a position to generate quite a few probabilities from. Booked for a problem through which he received the ball but it surely was deemed harmful by the referee
Cody Gakpo (Diaz, 72″), N/R — Stretched the play with direct runs in behind the defence, nearly combining with Salah to get a scoring probability however was barely offside.
Curtis Jones (Szoboszlai, 86″), N/R — Labored onerous throughout the time he was on when urgent Bologna’s midfield as they tried to get a late aim again.
Conor Bradley (Alexander-Arnold, 85″), N/R — On for Alexander-Arnold with Liverpool seeking to see out the ultimate minutes.
