Liverpool – Bologna 2-0: Arne Slot wins the first Champions League game at Anfield

Liverpool are at the top of the Premier League and this win follows a 3-1 away win against another Italian side, AC Milan, in the opening round of the Champions League, giving Slot's side six points out of six.

They have six more games left in the league phase, including home games against German champions Bayer Leverkusen, led by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, and 15-time European champions Real Madrid.

But they have made a perfect start to the competition and sit fifth in the 36-team table, already putting them in a good position to aim for automatic qualification for the round of 16.

In Klopp's almost nine years at Anfield, he won the Champions League, reached two finals, another two quarter-finals and reached the Europa League final.

The Dutchman Slot, who reached this tournament last season with Feyenoord, said earlier this week how much he was looking forward to experiencing the famous Anfield atmosphere on European evenings.

Reality matched the hype, which was reinforced by a large Bologna contingent relishing the chance to experience European competition for the first time since 1999-2000.

“I don't hope that the only thing people will remember about me in a year, two or three years – you never know how long I'll be here – is they'll just say, 'That's the manager who only had eight of his won nine games,'” said Slot.

“I hope I can achieve something more special than winning eight out of nine games.”

“You will probably never reach perfection. You always strive for perfection, but you will never achieve it.”