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, in fifth place, are already in a good position to automatically qualify 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.

Liverpool almost got off to a dream start.

Ryan Gravenberch, the Reds' man of the match against AC Milan, impressed again.

The defensive midfielder passed to Salah and made an energetic run to the byline, although Luis Diaz or Nunez were unable to convert his low cross.

But that didn't matter because 11 minutes later Mac Allister scored his first goal of the season.

Another fine pass from Gravenberch, this time over the top of the Bologna defense, let Nunez through, but his left-footed shot was not enough to beat Lukasz Skorupski.

Bologna finished fifth in Serie A last season, their best finish since 1970-71, although coach Thaigo Motta then moved to Juventus and the club also lost striker Joshua Zirkzee and defender Riccardo Calafiori to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

New coach Vincenzo Italiano, who was Fiorentina coach when they lost twice in the Europa Conference League final – including in the final against West Ham two years ago – had won just one of his seven games before moving to Anfield.

But Bologna, who next face Aston Villa on October 23, performed well and caused the hosts worries for a while – towards the end of the first half and the start of the second.

However, Salah's wonderful strike calmed Liverpool's nerves and ensured two wins from two games before heading to Germany to face RB Leipzig.