Arne Slot takes charge of his first home Champions League match as Reds manager, taking on another Italian side having come from behind to beat AC Milan at San Siro last time out. This should be an easier affair, especially in front of their own fans and against a Bologna team really struggling for form this season.
Also under a new head coach this season, after Thiago Motta jumped ship for Juventus, Bologna have just one win in seven games across all competitions but have not tasted defeat in five games – four of them draws. They will need to be at their defensive best to keep out a Reds side on a four-game winning streak, which has seen them top the Premier League standings.
Mohamed Salah is gunning to make Liverpool history tonight by becoming the first Reds player to score in five home Champions League games on the spin, and you would not expect him to hit the back of the net in a fairly routine European victory under the Anfield lights.
Liverpool vs Bologna latest updates
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Kick-off: 8pm BST, Anfield
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How to watch: TNT Sports and Discovery+
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Liverpool team news: Chiesa out but Jota fit
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Bologna team news: Ferguson still out
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Score prediction: Reds make it two from two
Liverpool vs Bologna prediction
17:57 , Alex Young
It’s very difficult to look past Liverpool at home here, particularly given their flying start to the new Slot era – shock Anfield defeat to Nottingham Forest aside.
The confident Reds have been picking up wins of all varieties, brushing aside the likes of Manchester United, West Ham and Bournemouth but also battling hard for victories over teams such as Wolves and demonstrating their fightback qualities in Milan.
Bologna have endured a tough opening to the new season under former Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano, winning just once across all competitions and playing out too many draws.
They are clearly suffering from having their best players and manager move on over the summer and a difficult night is likely to be in store on Merseyside.
Liverpool to win, 2-0.
Bologna team news: Ferguson still out
17:50 , Alex Young
Scotland international Lewis Ferguson is still out for Bologna, along with fellow midfielders Tommaso Pobega and Oussama El Azzouzi.
Striker Santiago Castro is a doubt, but Jhon Lucumi is available in defence despite being sent off in the 1-1 draw with Atalanta at the weekend.
Liverpool team news: Chiesa out but Jota shakes off scare
17:42 , Alex Young
Federico Chiesa will be absent tonight after picking up a minor injury in training, but is not expected to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines and could return for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said at a press conference on Tuesday: “Federico trained yesterday, came in today and [we’re] not expecting him to play. Pity for us but more for him as looking forward to Anfield and against an Italian team.
“Difficult because it happened yesterday but I’m not expecting him to be out for a long time. We will have to see for Saturday.”
Diogo Jota was absent from training on Tuesday with a reported foot injury but Slot has confirmed that he will still be available against Bologna. Darwin Nunez missed the weekend win at Wolves through illness but has since recovered.
Slot was forced to withdraw left-back Andy Robertson late on at Molineux, though the Scotland defender has trained in the build-up to tonight’s Champions League home opener.
Harvey Elliot remains a long-term injury absentee, with the midfielder expected to be out until the end of October.
Liverpool overcame a scare in their opening Champions League game to beat AC Milan 3-1 at the San Siro last month.
Where to watch Liverpool vs Bologna
17:35 , Alex Young
TV channel: Tonight’s game will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 2, with coverage beginning at 7pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: Subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Welcome
17:31 , Alex Young
Good evening and welcome to the Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Champions League game between Liverpool and Bologna.
Arne Slot takes charge of his first European game at Anfield, and will be confident of making it back-to-back wins against Italian opponents.
AC Milan were dispatched in gameweek 1 and now Bologna, in the competition for the first time in 60 years have started the season poorly under new manager Vincenzo Italiano.
Kick-off is at 8pm. Stick with us.