Media note “marked change” in Mo Salah as Liverpool “professional” in win

It was no surprise to see Mohamed Salah earning many plaudits after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Bologna, with the media hailing the Reds legend.

Arne Slot experienced his first home Champions League game as Liverpool head coach on Wednesday night, as his side eventually earned a victory.

Alexis Mac Allister and Salah got the goals for the Reds, who as a team weren’t always at their best but went about their Business in serene fashion.

Here’s how the media reacted to Liverpool 2-0 Bologna.

There was resounding positivity on show, even though better performances lie ahead…

Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph praised the impact Slot has already made, even though Liverpool weren’t perfect:

“Arne Slot has achieved quite the feat within three months of becoming Liverpool manager. None of his illustrious predecessors enjoyed such a victorious start to their reign.

“An eighth win in nine games ranks Slot at the top of an elite list above Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Kenny Dalglish and Jurgen Klopp. And yet the biggest measure of the Dutchman’s immediate impact is that despite already getting to work on updating the record books, there is a sense of so much more to come.

“Bologna are not the first Liverpool opponent this season to be beaten by a display which was both brilliant and yet, in parts, a bit too vulnerable. The excellence was, at times, mesmerising.

“When Liverpool click they absorb the finest elements of the side Klopp left behind with a more flexible, creative midfield full of tricks and twirls.”

On X, David Lynch felt it was a “professional” night at the office, rather than a spectacular one:

“Thought Bologna caused a few problems with their man-to-man press tonight but, as has been a theme this season, Liverpool managed to restrict them to fairly low-quality opportunities.

“A really professional performance in the end and two wins from two in the Champions League.”

Andy Hunter of the Guardian says belief is “surging” through Liverpool right now:

“There will be tougher tests to come, as Arne Slot frequently likes to remind Liverpool, but there is no disputing the confidence, quality and momentum that is surging through this team under the guidance of its new head coach.

“Slot became the first Liverpool manager in history to record eight victories from his first nine matches in charge as Bologna were dispatched in a hard-fought contest at Anfield.”

It was yet another night where Salah shone brightest…

The Daily Mail‘s Ian Ladyman lauded Salah, even claiming he is a greater creative force than ever:

“With Liverpool there is always the beauty that lies within. Here it came from the gilded left foot of Mo Salah. What a shot with fifteen minutes left. What a relief. What a goal.

[…]

“The 32-year-old remains an eager scorer of goals but also plays with his head up these days. There has been a marked change in that regard.”

Mo Salah already has 5 goals and 5 assists in Liverpool's 9 matches this season.

It's the earliest a player has reached 5+ goals and 5+ assists into an #LFC season since John Barnes did it in the club's first 9 matches of 1989-90.

— Michael Reid (@michael_reid11) October 2, 2024

The Mirror‘s Mark Jones stressed the need for Liverpool to tie Salah down to a new deal:

“In truth Mac Allister couldn’t really miss thanks to the excellent cross from Salah which put the goal on a plate for him.

“This was Salah’s fifth assist of the season already, and another indication of how his Game is evolving as he gets older.

“Having arrived as the quicksilver inverted winger who would drive for goal each and every time he got the ball, in the past couple of years we’ve been seeing a newer, more creative Salah, and a player happier to work as a facilitator for others when he isn’t doing the wonderful solo things he can do such as he did for his goal.

“It could be an approach which is adding years to his career, but the question is will he be at Anfield beyond 2025? Liverpool need him to be.”