Liverpool – Bologna: Slot Machine Needs To Tighten A Few Bolts (2-0)

It appeared that Liverpool was going to produce a routine Anfield night in the Champions League, after an early goal and early chances. But as Bologna grew in the game, Liverpool’s ability to play out deteriorated. A win was sealed, but not without its warning signs.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Sixty years after their previous appearance, on European football's biggest stage, Bologna travelled to Anfield without much expectation.

The reinvigorated Liverpool, under new coach Arne Slot, had already dispatched an Italian opponent. Despite going a goal down at the San Siro, Liverpool made light work of Milan, after Slot had tweaked his team’s pressing structure to change the momentum of the game. The transition out of the Jürgen Klopp era appears to be a lot more seamless than anticipated; seven wins out of eight in all competition going into this game.

Thiago Motta may not have had the dynasty at Bologna, like Klopp at Liverpool, but his coaching had similar transformative effects. However, the parts that got Bologna back in Europe are no longer available to them. Motta has been replaced by Vincenzo Italiano, who has already implemented some of his Fiorentina team’s ideas: lots of passes but an overreliance on crosses. Goals from young Argentine striker, Santiago Castro, have been Italiano’s saving grace in a stodgy start to his tenure. 

Slot made just a single change, from Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Wolves at the weekend. Diogo Jota was . . .