Liverpool vs Bologna Prediction: Salah can shine in Reds win

Liverpool seem to have ridden the potential storm following their defeat to Nottingham Forest and, after beating West Ham and Wolves, are next in Champions League action against Bologna on Wednesday (20:00, TNT Sports 2). 

Like the Reds and Arne Slot, the Rossoblu have undergone a managerial change with Vincenzo Italiano replacing the man who guided them to fifth in last season's Serie A, now-Juventus coach Thiago Motta. While Liverpool beat AC Milan 3-1 in their Champions League opener, Bologna could only manage a 0-0 home draw against Shakhtar Donetsk and look set to find themselves on the wrong end of the result at Anfield. 

Football Odds

Team News 

Liverpool's Diogo Jota missed training on Tuesday and is being assessed due to a minor issue, although Slot expects him to be available. 

Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson remains sidelined for Bologna with an ACL injury, while Tommaso Pobega and Oussama El Azzouzi are also unavailable due to knee problems. 

Liverpool vs Bologna Odds 

Liverpool are just 2/11 to win on Wednesday, with the draw 13/2 and Bologna available at 16/1 to claim their first-ever group stage/league phase European Cup or Champions League win. 

Three of Liverpool's last four games have seen both teams scoring, which can be backed at a competitive 5/4, while Luis Diaz has scored three times in as many home league matches this season and is 23/20 in the anytime market. 

Liverpool to win and both teams to score @ 2/1 

The transition from Jurgen Klopp to Slot has undoubtedly been smoother than expected and, while the Dutchman is still likely to implement tweaks where he sees fit, his attack is already purring. 

Still, Saturday's 2-1 win at Wolves featured a few nervy moments, as did the 5-1 EFL Cup success over West Ham and victories against Milan (3-1) and Bournemouth (3-0). 

The Reds are leaking chances and that will boost Bologna, who held Atalanta 1-1 at the weekend and who have lost just once this season. 

Their new boys are still settling in, as is coach Italiano, but they have netted in four of their last five. 

Bologna could take one of the chances presented to them by the Reds' defence, albeit in a losing cause, so the 10/1 about a 3-1 home win appeals. 

Mohamed Salah to score two or more @ 4/1 

Diaz has been the form horse in Liverpool colours this season, but Mohamed Salah remains the main man. 

The Egyptian missed out on a goal in Milan, but his record of 48 goals in 90 Champions League appearances (including qualifying rounds) remains exemplary. 

Salah netted the winner against Wolves and has five goals for the season. 

The 32-year-old scored eight times at a rate of a goal every 78 minutes the last time Liverpool were in the Champions League during 2022-23 and is worth considering to register his first double of the current campaign.

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