Liverpool fans have been left less than happy after seeing a fresh update about Federico Chiesa ahead of their Champions League clash against Girona.
The Champions League returns this week, and Liverpool are looking to maintain their record as the only team to have a perfect record in the competition.
Arne Slot’s side have conceded just once in their five matches so far, with their marquee result being the 2-0 win over Real Madrid at Anfield last month.
Liverpool have had few difficulties at the other end either, but Slot rotated his side’s firepower for Wednesday’s 3-3 draw at Newcastle.
The postponement of Saturday’s Merseyside derby will have helped in that respect, but the Reds are suffering from injury issues including the unavailability of forward Diogo Jota.
Darwin Nunez was brought in to the team on Wednesday but struggled to perform, while Chiesa would be another alternative in normal circumstances.
However, the Italian hasn’t played since September due to a muscle injury, having impressed on his debut start for the club against West Ham in the Carabao Cup.
His injury record at Juventus hasn’t encouraged Liverpool fans either - and the latest update on the Italian has left them even more concerned.
He has returned to training as he steps up his rehabilitation from his muscle injury, but The Athletic's James Pearce reports that Chiesa has missed Monday's session due to illness.
Image: Twitter/@JamesPearceLFC
Image: Twitter/@JamesPearceLFC
It is another slice of bad luck for the winger, who now appears likely to miss Tuesday's away clash in Spain.
But fans are less than happy that he will miss another fixture, with one fan comparing him to former Liverpool flop Arthur Melo and even Alberto Aquilani, who the club paid £17 million to sign in 2009. Both players arrived at Anfield from Serie A.
In September, Chiesa spoke about his determination to play many minutes for Liverpool this season.
"I am training harder, faster, I'm training to be ready to play," he told the club's official website.
"This depends on the coach and when he wants to play and put me in. I just have to be ready to play."