Liverpool experienced a day of contrasting results across their senior and youth teams. The first team, currently leading the Premier League, battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw against Newcastle United in a high-stakes encounter. Meanwhile, former Juventus star Federico Chiesa made headlines in an unexpected setting.
Chiesa, who has yet to establish himself in Liverpool’s first team, found the back of the net for the club’s Under-21 side in a Premier League International Cup match against Danish outfit Nordsjaelland. The Italian forward opened his Liverpool account with an equalizer in the 11th minute, playing for a scheduled 60 minutes before being substituted. Despite Chiesa’s contribution, the young Reds suffered a 4-3 defeat, leaving them at the bottom of Group C without a point after three matches.
> Chiesa finally back on the scoresheet, featuring for the Liverpool U21 team [pic.twitter.com/0wjFq64NMO](https://t.co/0wjFq64NMO)
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> — Italian Football News 🇮🇹 (@footitalia1) [December 4, 2024](https://twitter.com/footitalia1/status/1864392378523501027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
The 26-year-old’s appearance for the U21s comes as part of his rehabilitation and integration into the Liverpool setup. Since his €12 million (plus €3 million in potential bonuses) summer transfer from Juventus, Chiesa has made only three brief appearances for the senior team, totaling 78 minutes of play. His limited involvement includes a one-minute Champions League cameo against AC Milan, an 18-minute Premier League appearance versus Bournemouth, and a 59-minute start in the League Cup against West Ham, where he provided an assist.
Chiesa’s contract with Liverpool runs until June 2028, with the club investing significantly in his potential, offering a reported €7.5 million net annual salary. As he works towards full fitness and form, his goal for the U21s could be a stepping stone to more substantial involvement with Arne Slot’s first team in the coming weeks.