Arne Slot singles out Liverpool star after admitting he couldn't be happy with record win
Liverpool beat Bologna 2-0 at Anfield thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah, but boss Arne Slot said there were elements of the display he didn't like
by Mark Jones · The MirrorArne Slot said he couldn't be "delighted" with the manner of Liverpool's win over Bologna - admitting that he could only reserve that word for the performance of Ryan Gravenberch.
The Reds beat their Serie A opponents 2-0 at Anfield to make it two wins from two in their Champions League campaign so far, with both of those victories coming over Italian sides after their 3-1 win at AC Milan last month.
Mohamed Salah assisted Alexis Mac Allister for the opening goal after 11 minutes, before Salah scored a brilliant second at the Kop end a quarter of an hour from time.
But Bologna played well either side of those goals, hitting the woodwork twice through Dan Ndoye and forcing Alisson to make a fine save from Kacper Urbanski.
Slot admitted that he wasn't too happy with those moments, and when asked by TNT Sports if he was 'delighted' with the win at full-time following his eighth win in his first nine matches in charge, a Liverpool record, he could only respond in the negative.
“Not many things to be delighted with," he said, "apart from both goals, especially the second one. Great ball from Virgil [Van Dijk], great attack, great run from Trent Alexander-Arnold. It is always difficult to play a team takes that much risk.
“It wasn't an easy one, in my opinion Bologna made it difficult - similar to Atalanta, man-mark all over the pitch. Wait for the right moment if you play through completely open - it was many times. The last pass could have been better."
However Slot's mood improved when asked about the display of his fellow Dutchman Gravenberch, who again turned in a superb performance in the middle of midfield as he continued his superb season so far.
"I was delighted with him," admitted Slot. "I don’t say that to players at half-time because there is still 45 minutes to go but I said after the game ‘again big performance’. Ryan was again outstanding today."
Liverpool's two wins from two sets them up with a great chance of qualifying from the Champions League's initial league phase, while the Reds go to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
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