Football

Champions League: Salah On Target In Routine Win - In Pics

Liverpool is making one of the toughest fixture lists in the new-format Champions League look quite easy. Two Italian teams have now been comfortably dealt with, as unheralded Bologna was beaten 2-0 on Wednesday two weeks after AC Milan was brushed aside 3-1 in San Siro. Two German opponents are up next — including former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso returning to Anfield as Bayer Leverkusen coach — then comes two Spanish teams, including a visit of defending champion Real Madrid. Mohamed Salah’s magical left foot created an 11th-minute goal for Alexis Mac Allister and curled in a rising shot in the 75th.

UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool's manager Arne Slot celebrates at the end of the Champions League soccer match between Liverpool and Bologna at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

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UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpool players block a free kick
UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpool players block a free kick | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool players block a free kick during the Champions League soccer match between Liverpool and Bologna at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

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UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpools Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his sides second goal
UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's second goal | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League soccer match between Liverpool and Bologna at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

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UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpools Alexis Mac Allister challenges for the ball with Bolognas Michel Aebischer
UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister challenges for the ball with Bologna's Michel Aebischer | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister challenges for the ball with Bologna's Michel Aebischer during the Champions League soccer match between Liverpool and Bologna at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

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UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Bolognas Kacper Urbanski, right, reacts during the match
UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Bologna's Kacper Urbanski, right, reacts during the match | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Bologna's Kacper Urbanski, right, reacts during the Champions League soccer match between Liverpool and Bologna at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

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UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpools Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Bolognas Juan Miranda
UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Bologna's Juan Miranda | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Bologna's Juan Miranda during the Champions League soccer match between Liverpool and Bologna at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

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UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpools Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the opening goal
UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the opening goal | Photo: Peter Byrne/PA via AP

Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Bologna at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

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UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpools Alexis Mac Allister, centre, scores the opening goal
UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, centre, scores the opening goal | Photo: Peter Byrne/PA via AP

Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, centre, scores the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Bologna at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

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UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpool fans cheer on the stands
UCL 2024-25, Liverpool vs Bologna: Liverpool' fans cheer on the stands | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool' fans cheer on the stands prior to the Champions League soccer match between Liverpool and Bologna at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.