The Football Faithful
·2 ottobre 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·2 ottobre 2024
Liverpool host Bologna in the Champions League on Wednesday night as the Reds face Italian opponents for the second successive matchday.
Arne Slot’s side opened up their European campaign with a 3-1 win at AC Milan and next take on last season’s surprise package from Serie A. Bologna have returned to UEFA’s top club competition for the first time in 60 years this season and were held to a goalless draw by Shakhtar Donetsk in their first fixture.
I Rossoblù lost head coach Thiago Motta to Juventus in the summer and key figures Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori to the Premier League. Those absences have been felt with Bologna currently 13th in Italy after one win from their opening six games.
Vincenzo Italiano, who led Fiorentina to consecutive Europa Conference League finals in 2023 and 2024, took charge in the summer.
Kostas Tsimikas could come into the Liverpool team on Wednesday night after Andy Robertson limped off during the win at Wolves at the weekend. The Scotland captain was on the wrong end of a challenge from Carlos Forbs and might not be risked, though the Reds do not believe the issue is serious.
Harvey Elliott is a confirmed absentee for Liverpool with a fractured foot, while Federico Chiesa is set to miss out with a minor problem. The Italian reported some discomfort during the training this week.
Diogo Jota sat out training this week with a foot problem but Slot has confirmed the Portugal forward should be passed fit to feature at Anfield
“Diogo missed out on two sessions after the game against Wolves. He took a knock,” Slot explained t his pre-match press conference.
“I’m expecting him to be with us tomorrow, that he’s available to play.”
Darwin Nunez is also expected to have recovered from an illness. Curtis Jones could come into the XI as the 23-year-old steps up his minutes after injury.
Liverpool predicted lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
Liverpool host Bologna in the Champions League on Wednesday 2nd October 2024. Kick-off at Anfield is 20:00 BST.
Liverpool vs Bologna will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 2, with coverage beginning at 19:00 BST.