'If you're timid' - Bologna boss highlights Liverpool tactical strength under Arne Slot

Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano says his side can't be timid under pressure when they face Liverpool this evening in the Champions League. The 46-year-old Italian head coach took over from Thiago Motta following his departure for Juventus, tasked with leading I Rossoblù in their first Champions League campaign since 1964-65.

The Serie A side drew their first game of the competition with Shakhtar Donetsk a 0-0 draw on home soil. Italiano is under no illusions how difficult the trip to Anfield will be, having been impressed by the Reds under Arne Slot.

That being said, the Bologna boss doesn't want his side to just make up the numbers in the competition and has warned his players they'll need maximum concentration tonight.

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"This is my first time at Anfield," Italiano told FootItalia, "Except for De Silvestri who won here a few years ago. We’ll see if tomorrow we can put in a great performance. I told the boys that our objective must be to leave the field with our heads held high.

"Liverpool knows how to put you in difficulty from all points of view. They jump on you if you’re timid, and they know how to keep possession. Each of us must give our maximum; we must be concentrated since this is a mini-tournament and we need to optimize everything possible.

"We don’t want to be extras; we want to play our matches with great pride and showcase our abilities. Even in the league, we must try to climb back up."

Slot's Liverpool face Italian opposition for the second Champions League game in a row, having beaten AC Milan at the San Siro last time out. The Reds had to come from behind after Christian Pulisic gave the hosts the lead, before goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil Van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai wrapped up all three points.