Liverpool vs Bologna: Player 'dying' to be involved but faces RACE against time

One player is ‘dying’ to be involved as Liverpool host Bologna in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening. He’s in a race against time, though.

Bologna are up against it against Liverpool this week, with a couple of players facing a race against time to even feature. One of those is 19-year-old forward Santiago Castro.

Castro didn't play too many minutes last season after joining from Velez Sarsfield but he's been a regular in this campaign. Five Serie A starts have brought three goals and an assist, but a calf problem could keep him out of the Anfield trip.

Quotidiano Sportivo claims Castro is now 'dying' to get fit in time in order to play. It goes as far to say that he wants to feature 'at all costs' - which sounds a little dramatic. It's not entirely clear what that means, admittedly.

But this would be one of the biggest games of Castro's young career - arguably the biggest. He clearly wants to impress on the biggest stage possible, though it all depends on this calf problem healing up in time.

And he's not the only Bologna player struggling. Remo Freuler came out of Bologna's meeting with Atalanta 'in bad shape' and the 32-year-old may not be in any condition to compete with Liverpool.

Losing both would be a massive blow to a Bologna side that are already considered underdogs.

Liverpool vs Bologna

Arne Slot almost certainly wants to rotate a little for this one. Bologna's struggles would make it far easier for him to do just that. In fact, Liverpool are overwhelming favourites to win if the Italians can't even get their best XI onto the pitch.

This isn't exactly the same Bologna side as last season, either. A number of departures have left them up against it and they've currently only got one win in six games (four draws). That sole win came at 19th-placed Monza, too.

We're not sure Liverpool will have any excuses on Wednesday, then. This should be a routine Champions League win - especially if they're missing key players.