Reaction'Really happy' - Alisson and Mac Allister react to Liverpool's UCL win over Bologna
Alisson Becker and Alexis Mac Allister reflected on a satisfying night's work after helping Liverpool beat Bologna 2-0 at Anfield in the Champions League.
Mac Allister netted his first goal in the competition to open the scoring in the league-phase clash, nudging home a brilliant cross from Mohamed Salah in the 11th minute.
Salah then added the Reds' second in the final quarter of an hour as they went on to close the game out and deliver a clean sheet for Alisson on his 32nd birthday.
The pair spoke to TNT Sports immediately after the final whistle – read on to see what they had to say…
On a win and a clean sheet on his birthday...
Alisson: Thank you. That's what I asked [from] the boys before when I had my speech. It was a fantastic game, [a] really tough opponent. They play really well with the ball and without the ball they are aggressive. Playing against an Italian side is always difficult but we did good to manage the game and to score enough to win the game and to defend well to keep the clean sheet.
On scoring his first Champions League goal...
Mac Allister: Amazing. Really happy. Really happy personally but at the same time for the team. He [Alisson] made some good saves. Sometimes I think we need to defend better but at least Ali could show how good he is, so very happy for him and for the team.
On Salah's superb assist for the opener...
Mac Allister: To be fair, it's quite hard [to miss from there] but you could, you never know. But a goal is a goal. Very happy because in this team we know when we make a run Mo can see everything. Really happy for him as well because he scored a goal. I think it was a good night for everyone.
On Salah...
Alisson: He's a player that helps a lot. Sometimes it looks like he's not in the game but then suddenly he makes a perfect touch and he puts a ball in the top corner. That's his quality, that's his strength as well. We are lucky to have him but we always have to highlight the hard work that the team had here tonight. A lot of things to improve still but it was good enough to win the game.
On the team's development under Arne Slot...
Mac Allister: I think it's clear that we are in a transition but we are happy. We are happy with the ideas and we are trying to get there. We know there is still room for improvement and that's why we work very hard every day.
On whether he'll shave his beard again...
Alisson: I don't know! I stay clear a little bit for a while just to do something different.
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