The Dutch manager has his team headed in the right direction, and silverware could be on the horizon come season's end

Still, Liverpool was perhaps too relaxed chasing a second goal, and Bologna dominated in a five-minute spell. Bologna’s Switzerland winger Dan Ndoye hit the crossbar and a post with shots, and Allison was at full stretch to dive and push away Kacper Urbański’s shot after Ndoye stole the ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Anfield had waited over a year and a half for the return of Uefa’s top competition and Liverpool’s first home game in the Champions League since the end of February 2023 didn’t disappoint the home support.