There are even tougher tests ahead and more work to be done, as Arne Slot often reminds Liverpool, but the belief, quality and momentum flowing through this team under the leadership of their new head coach is falling not to be disputed. Slot became the first Liverpool manager or head coach in history to record eight wins from his first nine games as Bologna were dispatched in a hard-fought match at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister marked his and Slot’s home debut in the Champions League for Liverpool with his first goal of the season. Mohamed Salah, who had provided the last-minute assist in the World Cup winner’s opener, destroyed the Italians’ hopes of a point with a stunning second-half strike in Liverpool’s 250th appearance in the European Cup. A new leader, a new era it may be, but Liverpool’s promise on the European stage remains intact.

“I don’t draw any conclusions (from his record-breaking start) but it is fun,” said Slot. “So many great managers have worked here and achieved so many special things. The only thing is that I hope that if people remember me in one, two or three years, or however long I’m here, it’s not because they just say, ‘He’s the manager who won eight of his first nine games won’. I hope to achieve even more special things. But it says a lot about the way Jürgen (Klopp) left this club, the squad I inherited, the work rate the players put in and how much my staff helps me achieve these results. But I hope I will be remembered for more special things than winning eight of the first nine.”

Bologna earned Liverpool’s respect, Slot emphasized, after qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history last season with a club record 68 points. Their boisterous, sell-out away support certainly applied to their first away trip in the competition. But the respect had to come with an acknowledgment that Bologna have lost the coach who led them to the Champions League, Thiago Motta who joined Juventus this summer, along with striker Joshua Zirkzee and defender Riccardo Calafiori to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

The visitors looked weakened and uncertain in their new, exalted company during a dominant opening 20 minutes from Liverpool. The celebration of a Thijs Dallinga goal in Bologna, deftly clipped over Alisson but then clearly offside, had only just been cut short when Mac Allister found Darwin Núñez on the edge of their penalty area. Núñez released Salah on the right and the Egypt international whipped in a brilliant cross behind a static visiting defense. After encouraging the move, Mac Allister completed the move by getting behind three Bologna players and volleying past Lukasz Skorupski from close range.

Liverpool looked to be in rampant form but then the sloppiness that had crept into their play at Wolves on Saturday, prompting Slot to criticize the ‘mediocrity’ he will not accept, reared its ugly head again. The initiative was transferred to Bologna, along with several opportunities to equalize. Dan Ndoye had Ibrahima Konaté’s shot hit the crossbar after Dominik Szoboszlai had suffered a cheap loss of ball. Riccardo Orsolini headed a free header against teammate Dallinga when he was found unnoticed at the back post by Nikola Moro’s dangerous free kick. Liverpool failed to clear the danger and after Alisson cleared Juan Miranda’s low cross, Ndoye fired against the base of a post. Bologna’s pressure and Liverpool’s mistakes continued and Alisson made a fine save to deny Kacper Urbanski as Ndoye dispossessed Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool regained their composure and rhythm before the break. However, Bologna, thirteenth in Serie A and with just one win in all competitions this season, continued to trouble Slot’s side. Orsolini struck straight at Alisson when he was taken out by Miranda’s deep cross. Urbanski again got a clear opening from Ndoye, but shot over from twenty meters.

Any concerns Liverpool may have had about Bologna’s continued threat were extinguished by the consistent brilliance of Salah’s left foot. The club’s leading marksman in European competition produced a stunning signature finish to settle the match. After receiving Szoboszlai’s pass at the corner of the visitors’ penalty area and using Alexander-Arnold’s overlapping run as bait, Salah 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 appearances and 48th in a total of 77 European appearances for Liverpool. He also almost provided a stunning assist for Mac Allister, but the Bologna keeper made a brave save at the midfielder’s feet as Liverpool finished the match in control.

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