Liverpool face a Serie A side for the second Champions League matchday running, having already seen off AC Milan on a trip to San Siro last month.

Bologna are the visitors to Anfield this time, having surprise everyone last season by finishing fifth in Italy to qualify for the European Cup for the first time since 1964. But their opening game at home to Shakhtar Donetsk ended in a goalless draw.

Liverpool moved top of the Premier League following the latest round of fixtures at the weekend and, aside from a minor blip against Nottingham Forest, are really thriving under Arne Slot.

Here’s 90min’s preview of this Champions League clash.

Liverpool vs Bologna H2H Record (All Games)

This is a first ever meeting between the clubs.

Current form (all competitions)

Alisson was back in goal for the weekend victory over Wolves and will keep his place here. Andrew Robertson was withdrawn late in that one, but Arne Slot played down the seriousness. Liverpool do, however, remain without Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott.

Having trained on Tuesday, Darwin Nunez should be in contention to return after a bout of illness. But Federico Chiesa was an unexpected absentee from the session.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs Bologna (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Gakpo.

Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, who traded Aberdeen for Italy in 2022, misses out on playing at Anfield through injury. Tommaso Pobega is also ruled out, with doubts about the involvement of Oussama El Azzouzi as well.

Bologna predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-3-3): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Aebischer, Freuler, Urbanski; Orsolini, Castro, Ndoye.

Liverpool should be full of confidence going into this one, both as a result of their recent domestic form and a strong start in Europe on the road last month.

Bologna have proven difficult to beat so far this season, losing only one of seven games played across all competitions. But wins have also been mostly elusive, picking up a solitary victory and drawing their five other fixtures – with minimal clean sheets, it must be said.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Bologna

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