Liverpool are back in Champions League action tonight as they welcome Bologna to Anfield, live on talkSPORT 2. 

The Reds kickstarted their first European campaign under Arne Slot with an impressive win away at AC Milan two weeks ago. 

Liverpool comfortably beat AC Milan in their campaign openerGetty

Follow Champions League LIVE HERE

Goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominiki Szoboszlai secured three points, and now they take on another Italian side in Bologna.

They couldn’t overcome Shakhtar Donetsk in their opener and now they face an incredibly hard task of travelling to Merseyside. 

It leaves Liverpool will a good chance of continuing their great start under Slot in all competitions, with a win here continuing their positive momentum. 

Liverpool vs Bologna: On the brink of Mo history

Mohamed Salah is a history-making specialist. 

He is already Liverpool’s all-time Premier League top scorer while he also sits above Steven Gerrard for the most goals ever for a Reds player in Europe. 

And now on Wednesday, he can set another incredible record. 

Should Salah score against Bologna, he will become the first ever Liverpool player to net in five straight home games in the Champions League. 

He has scored in all of his previous four appearances at Anfield in this competition, finding the back of net four times in 2022/23. 

The Egyptian scored against Ajax, Rangers and Napoli in the group stages that campaign and he also did so against Real Madrid in the round of 16, albeit during a 5-2 defeat. 

So, he’ll now be aiming to continue his incredible home form and help Liverpool make it two wins from two in the brand-new league phase. 

Salah is without a doubt a Liverpool legendGetty

Liverpool and Bologna have never previously faced before, while Bologna will be the Reds’ 10th different Italian opponent in European competition, after Internazionale, Juventus, Roma, Genoa, Milan, Fiorentina, Napoli, Udinese, and Atalanta.

Bologna have faced three English sides previously in all European competitions, most recently Fulham in the 2002 Intertoto Cup. Their last in a major European competition came against Leeds United in the 1966-67 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, losing via a coin toss after a 1-1 aggregate draw over two legs.

Liverpool vs Bologna: Team news 

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz, Nunez.

Subs: Jaros, Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Jones, Gakpo, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton, Bradley, Nyoni.

Bologna XI: Skorupski, Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda, Freuler, Moro, Urbanski, Orsolini, Ndoye, Dallinga.

Subs: Bagnolini, Ravaglia, Erlic, Casale, Corazza, Lykogiannis, Holm, Aebischer, Fabbian, Castro, Iling Junior, Odgaard.

Robertson will hope to have recovered from his knock this weekGetty

Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano has only faced an English side once previously in European competitions, losing 2-1 with Fiorentina against West Ham United in the 2023 Conference League final.

Ryan Gravenberch was the Liverpool player with the most possession recoveries (10) and interceptions (7) in their win at Milan on MD1. In fact, his seven interceptions were the most by a Liverpool midfielder in a UEFA Champions League game since Javier Mascherano in December 2009 (8 v Fiorentina).

Liverpool vs Bologna: What has been said? 

Liverpool boss Slot is excited for his first European night at Anfield. 

He said: “There are [clubs] where you need to do a lot of good things before they start to support you. 

“But here the stadium is on fire from the first second, like it was at Feyenoord as well.

“I know how special a home game at Feyenoord was, but the home games in Europe were even more special. 

“So, because people told me it’s the same here at Liverpool, I expect a lot when we play the first game against [Bologna].

“I’m definitely looking forward to my first experience of European nights, a European evening.”

Slot can’t wait for a special night at AnfieldGetty

In European competition, sides from no other nation have beaten Liverpool at Anfield more times than Italian clubs (7 – level with Spanish). The Reds have lost three of their last five at home to Italian sides (W2).

Liverpool have won each of their last 10 group/league stage games at Anfield in major European competitions, scoring 2+ goals in their last nine in a row. Their last such defeat, though, was to an Italian side, losing 0-2 to Atalanta in November 2020.

Liverpool vs Bologna: talkSPORT coverage 

This Champions League tie will take place on Wednesday, October 2. 

Kick-off at Anfield is scheduled for 8pm. 

talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of the game from Merseyside. 

Commentary will come from Ian Danter and former England defender Danny Mills. 

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

talkSPORT.com will also keep you up to date with the latest in our dedicated Champions League live blog.