Arne Slot reveals the reason for Federico Chiesa’s Liverpool omission
Arne Slot has detailed the exact reasons why he chose not to include Federico Chiesa in his squad for Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Galatasaray in midweek.
Federico Chiesa‘s strange Liverpool career has taken more twists and turns over the last week as he aims to thrust himself into Arne Slot’s plans for this season.
He struggled for game-time last term, and former scout Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider in June that Liverpool were planning to accept offers for Chiesa in the summer after a disappointing first season at the club, with Slot content to see him depart.
The Italy international remained on Merseyside, though, as he netted a huge goal in their season-opener against Bournemouth last month, but Chiesa was still left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad.
Giovanni Leoni‘s injury against Southampton last week saw the 27-year-old given a lifeline and put into their UCL squad, but Chiesa has now surprisingly been left out of Liverpool’s travelling party to Galatasaray despite netting against Crystal Palace last time out.
Slot reveals reasons behind Chiesa missing UCL clash
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday (29 September), Slot revealed the reasons behind why Chiesa did not make it into his latest squad, saying: “He a got a little niggle, I think is the word you use here in England, in the last game against [Crystal] Palace.
| Appearances | 6 |
| Starts | 1 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 2 |
“He tried it today. He was on the pitch in the beginning, but he couldn’t end the session, so we decided not to take him, because in a few days it is Chelsea.”
Chiesa deserves more chances to start in the Premier League
Chiesa may be regretting his decision to stay at Liverpool this season, even after his decent recent form, with Slot clearly still not backing him to make an impact either from the off in league games or in European matches at all.
Serie A champions Napoli were reported to be interested in him during the summer [Corriere dello Sport], with Liverpool open to offers, so it’s not as if he would have struggled to make an exit if he really wanted to ahead of this campaign.
Florian Wirtz has struggled at the start of his Liverpool career, with no goals and just one assist in his first eight appearances, while the likes of Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha have both also flattered to deceive from the left-wing in recent weeks.
It is clear now, after his good showings against Southampton and Palace, and since he will have a full week’s rest, that Chiesa should be given a chance to prove himself in the starting eleven for Liverpool against Chelsea on Saturday (4 October).