Liverpool may need to give an opportunity to a much-loved player after the international break.placeholder image
Liverpool may need to give an opportunity to a much-loved player after the international break. | Getty Images
Arne Slot will have a lot of thinking to do about how best to utilise his squad following the international break
There will be little more room to slip up for Liverpool after the international break, as the Reds are already eight points off the pace in the Premier League and will fear falling behind in the race for the top four if things do not improve quickly.
Six defeats in nine matches is not good enough for any club, never mind for the reigning champions of England. That is without mentioning the Reds’ record-breaking transfer expenditure over the summer.
Arne Slot has been left with a difficult situation to resolve as multiple big-money stars such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak struggle to settle into life at Anfield, while reliable first-team players remain on the sidelines despite positive performances when given an opportunity by the Dutchman.
Federico Chiesa should play more after the international break after latest Italy snub
Italian winger Federico Chiesa is a much-loved member of Slot’s squad, and has been a favourite of fans ever since he adorned the Reds’ strip for the first time last season. This campaign, Chiesa has become an impactful, decisive option off the bench and he has earnt a more regular opportunity to compete for a starting spot in the Premier League.
Despite not making a single Premier League start and only appearing in the XI in Carabao Cup ties, Chiesa has registered two goals and three assists for the Reds in all competitions and has proven a reliable option for Slot when looking to change the game off the bench.
Some of the 28-year-old’s rapid contributions have shocked even his biggest of fans - he scored a last-minute winner against Bournemouth at Anfield on the opening day, scored a late equaliser in the eventual defeat at Crystal Palace, and provided an assist for Cody Gakpo’s equaliser against Manchester United. On two of those occasions, his key contribution was just six minutes after his introduction; at Palace, it was 13 minutes after he entered the field.
Chiesa has not played for Italy since signing for Liverpool - but recent reports have revealed that the Euro 2021 winner has rejected call-ups by Gennaro Gattuso as he “does not feel at 100 per cent”. The only reason for that can be his lack of opportunities for the Reds - and after the patience the Italian has shown in his time at the club so far, he deserves his chance to start after the international break.
Chiesa should become Liverpool starter when Mohamed Salah goes to AFCON
Chiesa will hope to make further key goalscoring contributions for Liverpool after the international break, and will feel that he has done enough to earn the odd start in the league or the Champions League, where he is now eligible to play. Which is undeniably true. But his true opportunity to stake his claim for a starting spot will come when Mohamed Salah departs for the Africa Cup of Nations in late December.
Naturally a right-winger himself, Chiesa has at times replaced Salah or, alternatively, played more of a central role when the Reds go all-out-attack in search of a late goal in matches. But if he is to earn himself a more secure role in Slot’s squad, the 28-year-old will need to grab the opportunity with both hands when Salah is unavailable for selection for up to a month.
The previous belief was that part of the thinking in signing Jeremie Frimpong over the summer was so that the Dutchman could fill in for Salah when the Egyptian is away at AFCON. But with Frimpong currently out injured and previously struggling for minutes himself, the argument can certainly be made that Chiesa has done more to earn his chance to shine. And as a bona fide fans’ favourite, the Anfield faithful will relish him getting his opportunity.
They will hope Chiesa can provide more unforgettable moments such as that on the opening day, when his winning goal secured the three points on what was an emotional day for all involved with the football club, amidst tributes to the late, great Diogo Jota.
Slot said of Chiesa’s contribution after the final whistle: “Yeah, fantastic [moment]. He came in at the end because we needed a goal, missed a large part of pre-season as a few others did. But for him to then score in such a moment the goal, is special. It’s even more special because the fans have supported him, last season, but today again. I think it’s nice that he gives them something in return, with a great goal.”
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