Federico Chiesa has started just one game for Liverpool since October, but Arne Slot has hinted that he could feature against Barnsley, though this is dependent on the fitness of another.
Federico Chiesa selection chances: A quick look
• Barnsley role: Arne Slot confirms Chiesa “could feature” against Barnsley, but his starting spot depends on **Hugo Ekitike**‘s availability.
• Minutes milestone: A start would likely see the Italian surpass his total playing time from the entire 2024/25 season.
• Injuries up front: With Jayden Danns out until February, Slot has limited attacking options beyond Chiesa, Gakpo, and Rio Ngumoha
This season, Chiesa has played just an hour less than he did across the entirety of the 2024/25 campaign, and a start against Barnsley would likely take him past last year’s minutes tally.
Despite this, he has still only made three starts, two coming in the League Cup before he played in the 2-1 win over Wolves on December 27.
“I spoke to him two days ago, and he said to me that he played more in the recent weeks than he ever did before under me,” Arne Slot said about Chiesa in the run-up to facing Barnsley.
“He is one of the players that could feature in that game, definitely.”
The Italian’s selection hinges on the availability of other players, though.
Mo Salah‘s stint at AFCON, Alexander Isak‘s injury and Cody Gakpo‘s previous absence forced Slot into selecting the 28-year-old attacker.
However, there is no guarantee he will start in the FA Cup, the head coach adding: “Hugo (Ekitike) might be back, so let’s see how we will start that game and he’s one of the options that I have, so let’s see.”
Will Hugo Ekitike play against Barnsley?
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - Wednesday, October 22, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at the Waldstadion. Liverpool won 5-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ekitike has missed Liverpool’s last two outings after an MRI scan showed he was suffering slightly more than muscle soreness (DOMS) in his hamstring.
This has also cast his availability for the FA Cup third round into doubt, with the Frenchman not having trained before Liverpool’s draw at Arsenal on Thursday.
Slot said of Ekitike: “That’s not 100 percent sure [he will return], but we will do everything to have him available on Monday.”
While Liverpool appear to be taking the competition more seriously than last year, when they were knocked out by Plymouth, it is unlikely they would risk Ekitike unless they are completely sure he has recovered.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike walks off with an injury during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A place on the bench is the most likely outcome, though they would be wise to leave him out altogether in preparation for Saturday’s game against Burnley.
This would, however, leave Liverpool short of attacking options, leaving Chiesa, Gakpo and Rio Nguomha as the only real options in attack.
Jayden Danns, who could have acted as the Reds’ striker, remains out injured and This Is Anfield understands he won’t be available until February.