Liverpool vs Bologna: Champions League Preview, Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Liverpool vs Bologna – UEFA Champions League Preview

Date – 2nd October 2024

Venue – Anfield

Kick off – 20.00hrs

The weekend ended with Liverpool top of the Premier League table, where they can now look to successfully transition away from the glorious reign of the previous manager, Jürgen Klopp, without the dreaded post-legend drop-off. The great German’s parting gift was to secure a return to Champions League football for this 2024/25 season, with the six-time European champions set to undertake their second game of this initial stage of the tournament. Their first outing saw the glorious reds travel to the famous San Siro, allowing for past rivalries to be renewed. Arne Slot was successful on his European debut (as Liverpool’s new Head Coach), with the next job to overcome the visit of another Italian outfit, Bologna.

Photo: IMAGO

Bologna Team News

In terms of availability, Lewis Ferguson, Nicolò Cambiaghi, and Oussama El Azzouzi, are all out for this trip, with some mild rotation expected for this tantalizing trip to Merseyside.

Regarding early season form, the Italian club were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Atalanta at the weekend, following a solid 1-2 away win at Monza. Their own initial outing in the Champions League ended as a 0-0 stalemate, against Ukrainian side, Shakhtar Donetsk. In the current Serie A standings, Vincenzo Italiano’s men sit a disappointing 13th in the table, with just seven points taken from 6 games played.

A predicted line up for the away team is listed below, in a 4-3-3 formation.

Łukasz Skorupski, Stefan Posch, Sam Beukema, Jhon Lucumí, Juan Miranda, Giovanni Fabbian, Remo Freuler, Kacper Urbanski, Riccardo Orsolini, Santiago Castro, Dan Ndoye

Liverpool Team News

In terms of injures, Harvey Elliott remains sidelined until late October with a fractured foot, whereas Darwin Núñez remains a doubt with an illness that kept him out of the match-day squad at the weekend. Andy Robertson sustained an injury during the latter stages of Saturday’s game, therefore, will not be risked for this game.

Photo: IMAGO

Regarding recent form, Slot’s men overcame a stubborn Wolves team at the weekend, as they secured a 1-2 away win. That Premier League encounter came after the reds won 5-1 against West Ham (at Anfield) in the EFL Cup third round, following a comprehensive 3-0 at home to Bournemouth. That tremendous 1-3 triumph at the San Siro came days before that victory, as AC Milan were soundly beaten in the opening game of the reds 2024/25 Champions League campaign.

Below is the team I believe the Dutch boss, Arne Slot, will start for this next European tie. The weekend incoming will bring a trip to London for that dreaded 12.30 kick off on Saturday, in a game against Crystal Palace which could force one or two changes (against Bologna) from their most recent Molineux victory.

Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk (c), Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo

How Will This Contest Play Out

Liverpool will want to be more concentrated for this game, after conceding the first goal against Milan a fortnight ago. The powerful attack and quality throughout the home side should see another victory for Virgil and his men, with a low scoring game likely. Bologna has a punchers chance for this encounter and will look to be patient in defence, with a counterattacking strategy endorsed. The spectacle under the Anfield lights will be a wonderful occasion for all involved, as the visitors revel in their Champions League run.

Player to watch – Cody Gakpo

Score Prediction;

Liverpool 2 – 0 Bologna