Liverpool’s Under 19s were back in UEFA Youth League action as a pre-cursor to the senior side getting underway against Italian visitors Bologna and once again it was a hard-fought encounter as Barry Lewtas’ side were made to work for every square inch. 

The Reds lined up with an attack-minded four-pronged frontline of Kieran Morrison, Trent Kone-Doherty, Ranel Young and summer arrival Rio Ngumoha as the hosts looked to build upon their opening day point out in Milan. 

With the captain from that goalless draw Trey Nyoni on first-team duty, Amara Nallo took the armband in the heart of the defence alongside Wellity Lucky and usual central defensive operator Carter Pinnington asked to fill a void at left-back. 

“BOBBY FIRMINO: BEST IN THE WORLD” DOCUMENTARY | EPISODE 1

Despite the visitors’ cautious approach, Ngumoha had the first meaningful effort of the contest as the teenager’s direct running style and fearless nature combined to see a curling, dipping effort, just clip the top of the bar and go wide to deny what would’ve been an audacious goal. 

Lewtas’ side dominated much of the first half but were unable to make their possession and territory count, whilst Bologna were always a threat on the counter as their low block defence stood firm for the most part in front of an onlooking Sir Kenny Dalglish. 

Reds’ goalkeeper Kornel Misciur was called into action late in the opening 45 and Nallo was forced to clear well from the first sustained spell of pressure from the Italian outfit. 

WE HAVE EVERY ANGLE COVERED OF THE REDS’ HERE!

Early in the second half the deadlock was broken as Liverpool capitalised on Bologna’s attempts to pass out from the back, hard-working frontman Young rewarded for his selfless efforts and tucking home to open the scoring.

However, just moments later it was 1-1 as Federico Tonin fired home after some neat build-up play around the area freed up the attacker, a frustrating goal to concede for Lewtas’ charges having taken the lead. 

But, the hosts regained control of proceedings as Pinnington rose highest at the back post to head the ball back into a dangerous area where Nallo was waiting to tap home from close range and give his side the lead once again, a lead this time that they were able to hold onto despite a flurry of late attacks and the Italian goalkeeper joining the masses from two set pieces. 

Liverpool academy boss Lewtas was thrilled with his side after the well-earned three points…

On the win: “We knew how hard it was going to be. We thought it was going to be like Milan, and we knew it would be tough. We did really well to win, we made some technical mistakes that weren’t really like us but overall I’m really pleased.”

Lewtas also had praise for the ‘selfless’ and ‘outstanding’ Ranel Young following his goal but the Reds’ boss was particularly pleased with the captain on the day Amara Nallo: “We spoke about that in the meeting, we have said to the defenders ‘Can you add a little bit more value to your game?’ Amara has got two in two, really pleased.” 

On Rio Ngumoha: “I think today we managed to set up on that side well which gave him the opportunity to be one-on-one. He hit the crossbar, I thought he combined well as well. He’s not played a lot, he is only young. As the game went on he dug in but the first half is where he caught the eye and I’ve said before we need to be patient and I’m sure we’ll get there. It is tough, he’s giving away a lot of size, a lot of age.”

 By Brendan Doyle

Liverpool won their second Champions League tie of the season after a 2-0 home win against 13th-placed Serie A side Bologna with goals from Alexis MacAllister and Mohamed Salah.

The Reds got off to the first half receiving somewhat of a scare from the Italian visitors as Thijs Dalligna netted in front of the kop but the linesman raised his flag, although just two minutes later, Alexis MacAllister scored at the other end in the 11th minute after being on the right end of Mohammed Salah’s impeccable floated ball into the Bologna area.

In the 17th minute Darwin Nunez thought he had doubled Liverpool’s lead as he picked up a slick through ball from Trent Alexander Arnold and converted his effort past Lukasz Skorupski but once again for the second time in the first half the linesman put his flag up to disallow a goal.

“BOBBY FIRMINO: BEST IN THE WORLD” DOCUMENTARY | EPISODE 1

As the half went on Bologna gained a five minute spell of confidence towards Liverpool’s final third as Dan Ndoye’s deflected shot smashed the crossbar.

Stefan Posch couldn’t get the right connection from Riccardo Orsolini’s downward header received from a fantastically whipped-in free kick by Nikola Moro, another potential equaliser which was this time in close areas to Liverpool’s netting.

When Liverpool’s back line seemed to be out of shape, Bologna once again tried to seize the opportunity to capitalise on the situation as Dan Ndoye dispossessed Trent Alexander Arnold of the ball who then laid it off to Kacper Urbanski whose shot on goal forced Alisson to parry the ball around the post.

As Liverpool seemed to enter the first ten minutes of the second half composed and in control of possession, Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini once again attempted a shot on goal but Alisson saved the powerfully hit shot away from the area.

Luis Diaz had the ball at his feet just on the edge of the area facing the kop and it looked as though the Colombian forward was about to strike but decided to carry the ball into the penalty area after drifting to a wider area but took a touch too many and lost possession.

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Just when Arne Slot’s side could’ve needed a second goal, the one and only Mohamed Salah stepped up as he cut in on his left-hand side after picking up a pass from Dominik Szoboszlai and smashed his shot into the top far corner of the goal at the famous kop end putting the reds 2-0 up in the 75th minute.

Bologna substitute Samuel Iling Junior tried his luck at a consolation goal as a shot in the Liverpool area was blocked by Virgil Van Dijk who then fell to the 20-year-old from North London on the half volley but his effort went straight over the bar.

The full-time result finished 2-0 as Liverpool continued their bright start in all competitions under Arne Slot’s management.

Player Ratings

XI: Alisson Becker 8, Trent Alexander Arnold 7, Ibrahima Konate 7, Virgil Van Dijk 8, Andy Robertson 7, Ryan Gravenberch 9, Dominik Szoboszlai 8, Alexis MacAllister 8, Mohamed Salah 9, Darwin Nunez 6, Luis Diaz, 7

Subs: Kostas Tsimikas 6, Curtis Jones, 6, Diogo Jota 6, Cody Gakpo 6, Conor Bradley 6