I feel sorry for him’ – Liverpool boss Arne Slot provides concerning explanation for Federico Chiesa’s absence after bargain £11m Juventus transfer

Chiesa made his Liverpool debut as a substitute during the club’s Champions League victory over AC Milan back in September. He followed that performance by coming off the bench in a convincing 3-0 Premier League win against Bournemouth at Anfield. Despite those appearances, Chiesa’s involvement has been limited due to persistent niggles, raising concerns among fans about his fitness.

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  WHAT ARNE SLOT SAID

  On the eve of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig, Slot provided a detailed explanation for Chiesa’s continued absence.

  “With Federico, it’s a bit more simple; although it’s more difficult, but it’s a bit more simple to explain,” he told reporters. “He missed a complete pre-season, I said this many times, and going to a league where the intensity might even be higher than the Italian league. We just faced the two Italian teams [Milan and Bologna in the Champions League], so I can say this now.

  “So that makes it difficult for him to make the step towards the intensity levels the rest of the team is at at the moment. That has not so much to do with the Italian league or the Premier League, that has more to do with him missing a complete pre-season and that is so difficult for every player – when the games are constantly there – to build them up towards the levels we are at. So, difficult to say, but it’s a big disappointment for him that he is going in and out of the training sessions all the time. I feel sorry for him.”

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chiesa’s fitness issues have not only affected his Liverpool career but also his international prospects. He has not represented Italy since the team’s exit from the European Championship in June, and coach Luciano Spalletti left him out of the squad for the last four Nations League matches due to his ongoing troubles.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHIESA & LIVERPOOL?

  Liverpool fans will be hoping that once fully fit, Chiesa can rediscover the form that made him one of Italy’s brightest stars. However, the he will miss the Champions League clash against Leipzig on Wednesday and remains unlikely to feature against Arsenal on Sunday, which should be a blockbuster Premier League encounter.