2024-25 UEFA Champions League: League Phase – Liverpool vs Bologna

Liverpool host Bologna at Anfield in the league phase of 2024-25 UEFA Champions League.

Victory will see Liverpool stay in the top eight, who will automatically get a pass to the Round of 16 come end of the league phase.

Bologna will look to move realistically into the knockout play-off seeing positions, although top eight is possible with a win if results swing their way.

 

Team News

Darwin Nunez could return for Liverpool after he missed their 2-1 Premier League win at Wolves, due to illness.

Diogo Jota (knock) is a doubt but Federico Chiesa (knock) is ruled out.

Harvey Elliott (ankle) remains ruled out.

Bologna have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 1-1 draw at home to Atalanta in Serie A.

Oussama El Azzouzi, Tommaso Pobega (both knee) and Lewis Ferguson (ACL) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Liverpool host Bologna at Anfield on Wednesday 2 October at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sport 2 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Liverpool’s first-ever meeting against Bologna in all UEFA competitions.
• Bologna is visiting Liverpool at Anfield for the first time competitively.
• Liverpool have avoided defeat in five of their last eight home games against Italian opposition (W4, D1, L3).
• Bologna lost 3-1 to Fulham in 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup in their only previous away game against English opposition.

 

Prediction

Coming into this home game off the back of a dominant domestic win at Wolves amidst some slow attacking buildup play, Liverpool certainly have to be favourites if they can play like that here but with some more energy in their play.

Bologna meanwhile are difficult to beat with five draws in seven games in all competitions this season, of which they scored in five of those games but this will be likely a more defensively tactical game as underdogs.

I however can’t see Liverpool losing this but patience and clinical movement in passes and end product will be key, especially if Bologna opt to go defensive and play on the counter-attack.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Bologna

Result: Liverpool 2-0 Bologna