Liverpool 2-0 Bologna: Arne Slot makes history with a straightforward Champions League victory thanks to Mohamed Salah's wizardry.

Anfield saw a straightforward 2-0 victory over Bologna thanks to goals in each half from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah, making Arne Slot the first manager of Liverpool in history to win eight of his first nine games in charge.

Liverpool made it two wins from two in the new Champions League format as goals in either half from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah clinched a straightforward 2-0 win against Bologna at Anfield.

After 11 minutes, Mac Allister headed home Salah's cross to give the home team the lead, but before halftime, the visitors had a chance when Dan Ndoye struck the base of the post and Kacper Urbanski was denied by Alisson.

However, Salah calmed any jitters in the second half when he scored for the sixth straight home Champions League match. After receiving a pass from Dominik Szoboszlai, Salah cut inside Juan Miranda and thundered a rocket into the top corner (76).

The fact that Arne Slot has become the only Liverpool manager in history to win eight of his first nine games in command is a testament to how successfully he has adapted.

Slot stated: "That is good, but I don't think I can draw many implications from it. Here have worked countless amazing managers who have accomplished a great deal of unique things.

"My main concern is that, in the one, two, or three years that people remember me—you never know how long I'll be here—they won't remember me for anything other than the manager who only won eight of his nine games.
 
"I'm hoping to do more special things than winning eight out of nine games."

With so many games scheduled, the team's ability to win even when not at their best was shown on Saturday against Wolves. This most recent success was also accomplished with little difficulty in advance of this weekend's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

As a result, they now sit fifth in the newly formed league standings, with Bologna in 26th place. The Reds' next European match is against RB Leipzig on October 23.

Bologna's next match in this competition is at Villa Park a day sooner, thus they will be back in England in less than three weeks.

How Slot maintained his excellent beginning

On Saturday, an early kickoff against Palace will present another challenging test, but Liverpool will enter the match atop the standings and looking to win another away game.

They had to battle through some anxious moments in a fierce match against Bologna. Both Thijs Dallinga and Darwin Nunez's attempts were disqualified for being offside, and the Italians performed admirably in their first-ever Champions League campaign.

Just before Bologna took advantage of a mistake made by Trent Alexander-Arnold in his own penalty area, Ndoye struck the post, but 32-year-old Alisson made a stop to keep out Urbanski.

Before Salah unavoidably had his say, the Brazilian also denied Riccardo Orsolini on his 50th appearance for Liverpool in Europe.

With a delectable strike that curled into the top corner after cutting in on his left, the Egyptian secured his 49th Champions League goal and ensured that Slot continued to enjoy a stellar start to his career.

"They worked incredibly hard to keep a clean sheet again today, though we also needed our custodian on a few occasions," the Dutchman continued.

"We scored two excellent goals, the second being especially noteworthy. Playing against a squad that takes such a big chance and never lets up is never easy. Overall, it was a positive outcome, although I wouldn't describe myself as thrilled right now.

Analysis: Salah calms the fears of Liverpool

Only seven teams in the 36-team competition had a perfect record, including Liverpool. However, Bologna was not intimidated by their first visit to Merseyside and committed five players to a high press right away.

Liverpool struggled to play their way out of the back even after taking an early lead; if it weren't for Alisson and the goal's frame, they might have been in more danger.

After Mac Allister's opening goal, it appeared as though Liverpool would easily defeat their opponents, but Slot's team lost momentum when Ndoye, Bologna's biggest danger, twice struck the woodwork.

Salah's opportune late intervention ensured that the Champions League will return to Anfield in triumph.

The hosts had a difficult evening, but with fifteen minutes remaining, Salah scored to allay fears for the eighth time in as many games in this competition.

The 32-year-old's contract expires at the end of the current campaign, but his performance in scoring his sixth goal in four games against the Serie A team served as yet another indication of his significance.

Mac Allister: There's opportunity for development

It's evident that we're in a transitional phase, but we're content with the concepts and working towards our goals. We put in a lot of effort every day because there is always opportunity for development.

"I'm ecstatic for the squad, but also personally. He [Alisson] made some good saves. Although Ali demonstrated his skill, I still believe that we should defend better at times. I'm pleased for the squad and for him.

Alisson Becker, the goalie for Liverpool, said to TNT Sports:

"We had a formidable foe; it was quite difficult. They are competitive when they don't have the ball, but they play incredibly well when they do. We played effectively to control their game, scored enough goals to win, and maintained a perfect record defensively."

"He's a player that helps us a lot," Alisson continued while speaking about Salah. "Sometimes it looks like he's not in the game, but suddenly he makes a perfect touch and puts the ball in the top corner." That's both his strength and one of his qualities.

"We are lucky to have him but we always have to highlight the hard work the team had and a lot to improve but good enough to win the game."