While Liverpool continue to look for opportunities in the market on transfer deadline day, they have a big game to prepare for on Sunday.
The Reds have had an excellent start to the Premier League season, winning two games out of two.
It has been exactly the kind of start Arne Slot was looking for at Liverpool and has quietened the noise over what has been a disappointing transfer window.
With potential incomings and outgoings once again taking centre-stage on Friday, Slot will likely be keen to get back to on-pitch matters over the weekend. Manchester United await.
In the meantime, the one player who has been brought in to strengthen the first-team squad immediately has been Federico Chiesa. And Slot has now been looking ahead to when the Italian could make his Liverpool debut.
Federico Chiesa unlikely to make Liverpool squad
Sunday will be a real test for Liverpool. Paul Merson has predicted United to have some joy against the Reds and it will certainly be their most difficult game of the season so far.
After signing Chiesa on Thursday, having the winger available at Old Trafford could be a real boost to Liverpool’s chances of winning.
Chiesa declared himself fit and ready to play immediately upon his arrival at Anfield and he’s clearly raring to go.
However, with the game being such a big one and coming so soon after Chiesa’s arrival, Slot has now played down talk of the Italian being involved.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher delivers his verdict on Federico Chiesa signing for Liverpool
Asked whether he is expecting to have Chiesa in his squad for Sunday, the Dutchman admitted that it is not something he’s currently planning for.
“He’s going to train with us today, but there’s a bigger chance that he’s not in the squad for Sunday then he is,” said Slot.
“If injuries come up over the next two days then we might need him. I don’t expect him to be in but I cannot guarantee this.”
When will Federico Chiesa make his debut?
Although fans will be disappointed about this news, it probably is the best decision from Slot.
Of course, as he says, there may be a surprise in training over the next two days. It could also be that Chiesa wows Slot to the point that he has to put him in.
But with Liverpool’s forward line doing well at the start of the campaign, we’d be surprised to see the former Juve man on the bench at Old Trafford.
Instead, it seems more likely that Chiesa will get his first taste of a Liverpool matchday squad when the Reds take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday September the 14th.
There is of course an international break in between Sunday’s game and then, so it could now be a couple of weeks until supporters see their new man.
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