Liverpool face Bologna in the Champions League on Wednesday night as they aim to build on a good start in the competition.
The Reds comfortably navigated a tricky looking fixture away to AC Milan on matchday one and come up against Italian opposition again at Anfield.
Given the European pedigree of both teams, Liverpool have to be heavy favourites to make it two wins from two against the Rossoblu.
Nevertheless, Arne Slot will be wary of his Liverpool squad underestimating a side who surprised everyone to finish fifth in Serie A last season.
Although they lost star players like Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori, Bologna still have a talented team who could really trouble the Reds at Anfield.
One player to look out for is centre-back Sam Beukema, who Slot name-checked during his pre-match press conference. And in his own build-up to the game, Beukema has raved about Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Sam Beukema reveals Virgil van Dijk dream
Beukema has become an important player for Bologna ever since arriving from AZ Alkmaar in 2023.
The defender is also capable of playing in midfield and has had a steady trajectory from Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles up to the Champions League.
Van Dijk had a similarly slow path towards the top in football, and as a Dutchman who plays the same position as the Reds No.4, Beukema has told GOAL that he cannot wait to be on the same pitch as his nation’s captain.
“I’ve so much respect for Virgil van Dijk,” says the 25-year-old, after reportedly naming Van Dijk as “the greatest defender in the history of the Netherlands.”
READ MORE: Julian Alvarez explains why Virgil van Dijk is still one of the best centre-backs around
“He’s just such a great centre-back and hopefully I can play one day with him – or even just train with him – so that he can give me some advice to help me improve. Because right now, he’s the best of the best.
“You just cannot help but admire him and look up to him,” adds Beukema.
“It will be really nice if I get the chance to share a pitch with him on Wednesday night – particularly as it would be at Anfield.”
What did Arne Slot say about Sam Beukema?
There was a slightly bizarre moment in Slot’s press conference on Tuesday, when an Italian reporter asked the Liverpool head coach about his previous interest in Beukema while at Feyenoord.
With the translator failing to grasp the name of the player in question, confusion reigned for a moment. Bu once the penny dropped, Slot remembered with enthusiasm his brush with the then Go Ahead Eagles player.
“I was interested, the club I worked for – that included me – was interested in signing him,” said the 46-year-old. “He had a real good season with the club he [got] promoted with. We were looking for a centre-back and we saw a lot of potential in him.
“Unfortunately for us, he made the choice to go to a different club. And unfortunately for him, he chose the wrong club because Feyenoord did much, much, much better than the club he chose!
“They’re not going to like this at that club he chose!” Slot laughed. “That was also one of my former clubs, that’s why I made the joke!
“But he did really well at AZ Alkmaar and he made a nice transfer to Bologna, where he does really well again. A very good player, looking forward to meeting him and seeing him tomorrow.”
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