Preview: Liverpool vs. Bologna
Yesterday at 03:37 PM
The Reds look to continue their excellent start to the season as they host a brand new guest.
Liverpool vs Bologna
| Wednesday, October 2nd |
Champions League | Anfield
8PM BST / 3PM EST
With two games to go before the October international break, Liverpool are looking to collect every available point and go into the break at the top of every available table, starting with a visit from first-time guests Bologna.
The Italians made it into the Champions League for the very first time in club history on the back of a club-record league finish last year, as Thiago Motta guided his team to fifth place before promptly jetting off to Juventus this summer.
The start to this season has been of the rougher sort for i Felsinei, with just seven points from six games and 13th place in the table despite a fairly weak schedule. While proving difficult to beat outright, former Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano's team has struggled at both ends of the pitch, and against the only elite team they've faced this year, they were handily dispatched 3-0 at Napoli.
Knee injuries will keep captain Lewis Ferguson, central midfielder Oussama El Azzouzi and attacker Nicolò Cambiaghi out of the picture, but Bologna can otherwise call on a healthy squad, including top scorer Santiago Castro.
Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Diaz, Núñez, Salah
With just two games to go before the international break — albeit a Saturday lunchtime kickoff at Selhurst Park — and a history of not rotating much, expect Arne Slot to go with his favoured personnel where availability allows.
Alisson returned between the sticks against Wolverhampton and will retain his place tomorrow, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk will feature in defence. Andy Robertson picked up a knock at the weekend and could see Kostas Tsimikas start ahead of him.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch will look to continue his work in the deepest midfield position, likely accompanied by Alexis Mac Allister, while Dominik Szoboszlai will push up. Curtis Jones remains a candidate to step into either role if appropriate.
Up top, Federico Chiesa will miss out due to a minor injury suffered in training, while Diogo Jota is unlikely to start following a slight knock. Assuming he has recovered from illness, Darwin Núñez should start in the central striker role, flanked by Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah, while Cody Gakpo provides depth for the former two.
What the Managers Said
Arne Slot: "To face an Italian team at Champions League level, and we know how difficult it was to face an Italian team at Europa League level, so we don't underestimate them at all, because that's not what they deserve for the way they played last season and even this season."
Vincenzo Italiano: "It's the first time for me, as well as for all the guys in the team, apart from De Silvestri who won here a few years ago. Let's see if we can put in a great performance tomorrow and leave with our heads held high. We know the strength of our opponent and their ability to do well at home."
The Officials (MNE)
Referee: Nikola Dabanović
Assistant referees: Vladan Todorović, Srđan Jovanovic
Fourth official: Miloš Bošković
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL), Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP)
Kickoff is set for 8PM GMT/3PM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on LiveSoccerTV.
In the meantime, and as always, we'll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it's released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.
