There are tougher tests ahead and more to do, as Arne Slot Liverpool always likes to remind them, but the belief, quality and dynamism that flows through this team under the leadership of their new head coach is undeniable. Slot became the first Liverpool manager or head coach in history to record eight wins from his first nine games as Bologna were eliminated in a hard-fought clash at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister celebrated his and Slot's home debut in the Champions League for Liverpool with his first goal of the season. Mohamed Salah, who set up the World Cup winners' opener, ended Italy's hopes of a point with a stunning second-half strike in Liverpool's 250th European Cup appearance. New leader, new era it may be, but Liverpool's promise on the European stage remains.

“I’m not drawing any conclusions (from his record-breaking start), but it’s nice,” Slot said. “So many incredible managers have worked here and achieved so many special things. I just hope that when people remember me in a year or two or three years or however long I've been here, they don't just say, “He's the coach who won eight of his first nine games.” “I hope to achieve even more special things. But it says a lot about how Jürgen (Klopp) left this club, the squad I took over, how much work the players did and how much my staff help me to achieve these results. But I hope I’m remembered for something more special than winning eight of the first nine.”

Bologna deserve Liverpool's respect, Slot had stressed, after they qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history last season with a club record 68 points. Their boisterous, sell-out away support was certainly to be commended for their first away game in the competition. But the respect had to be accompanied by the realization that Bologna had lost the coach who led them to the Champions League: Thiago Motta moved to Juventus in the summer, along with striker Joshua Zirkzee and defender Riccardo Calafiori to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

The visitors looked weakened and unsure in their new, exalted company during a dominant opening 20 minutes ahead of Liverpool. Bologna's celebration of a goal from Thijs Dallinga, cleverly shot over Alisson but clearly offside, had only just ended when Mac Allister found Darwin Núñez on the edge of his penalty area. Núñez released Salah on the right and the Egypt international delivered an excellent cross behind the static visitors' defence. After starting the move, Mac Allister finished it off by getting behind three Bologna players and firing a volley past Lukasz Skorupski from close range.

Liverpool appeared to be in top form, but then the sloppiness that had crept into their play at Wolves on Saturday, prompting Slot to criticize the “mediocrity” he would not accept, reared its ugly head again. The initiative was handed over to Bologna, along with several opportunities for compensation. Dan Ndoye had Ibrahima Konaté's shot deflected onto the crossbar after Dominik Szoboszlai had cheaply lost the ball. Riccardo Orsolini headed a free header past his teammate Dallinga when he was found uncovered at the back post by Nikola Moro's dangerous free-kick. Liverpool failed to clear the danger and after Alisson parried away a low cross from Juan Miranda, Ndoye shot against the base of a post. Bologna's pressure and Liverpool's mistakes continued and Alisson made a great save to deny Kacper Urbanski as Ndoye dispossessed Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool found their composure and rhythm again before the break. However, Bologna, 13th in Serie A and with just one win in all competitions this season, continued to cause problems for Slot's side. Orsolini fired a volley straight at Alisson when he was met unmolested by Miranda's deep cross. Urbanski had another free chance from Ndoye, but shot over the goal from 20 meters.

Any concerns Liverpool had about Bologna's ongoing threat were negated by the consistent brilliance of Salah's left foot. The club's leading goalscorer in European competition delivered a stunning, trademark finish to decide the competition. Salah received Szoboszlai's pass at the corner of the visitors' penalty area and, using Alexander-Arnold's overlapping run as a decoy, stepped over left-back Miranda and curled an unstoppable shot into Skorupski's top right corner.

It was the 32-year-old's ninth goal in his last nine Champions League games and the 48th in 77 European games for Liverpool. He also almost provided a wonderful assist for Mac Allister, but the Bologna keeper bravely saved from the feet of the midfielder so Liverpool finished the game in control.

“You will probably never reach perfection, but you can always strive for perfection,” Slot mused. “We can improve and we must improve, that’s clear.”