Chiesa is in contention to make the matchday squad this weekend and his Liverpool teammates are clearly happy to see him back on the grass
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Virgil van Dijk is delighted to see Chiesa back in group training
Virgil van Dijk is delighted to see Chiesa back in group training at Liverpool
(Image: Liverpool FC)
There are still doubts over whether Federico Chiesa will play a role in Liverpool’s home clash with Fulham, but the winger has been getting up to speed in training. The summer signing has not played since September after picking up a muscle injury and struggled for fitness.
Arne Slot has indicated there is a chance he makes the matchday squad this weekend but cast caution over his inclusion. “Federico missed quite a lot for a long time, was ill last week, so we have to wait and see how he is exactly doing,” he said on Friday.
The fitness and form of Mohamed Salah has lessened the need for back-up Chiesa but questions about his fitness have been asked more frequently in recent weeks given his lengthy time on the sidelines. Encouragingly for the Reds, footage on Friday showed him in flow during training.
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At one stage during a small-sided game, the 27-year-old was seen beating Joe Gomez and cutting back for a colleague to tap home. The fact he is partaking in group training will come as a massive boost to Slot and his medical team.
His teammates are also delighted to see him back in action. On Thursday morning, the squad checked in and greeted each other for breakfast ahead of training.
Captain Virgil van Dijk was seen meeting with Chiesa and asked about his fitness, delighted that he is edging closer to a return. “Fede! You better or… yeah?” he beamed at Chiesa, before giving him a handslap.
The players are clearly trying to help Chiesa feel at home, having been the only new arrival to be integrated into the senior set-up this summer. Salah handed him an offer no Liverpool fan could refuse.
“Whenever you want, we go for dinner. I cook for you!” he told Chiesa as he was coming down the stairs at the AXA Training Centre for breakfast. If Chiesa does take to the field on Saturday, it will be his first outing for 80 days.