Federico Chiesa joined Liverpool this summer as their main signing of the window, yet it’s been a slow start to life in the Premier League.
The Italian international joined the Anfield side without any sort of pre-season, with Chiesa nowhere near fit enough yet to feature regularly in the Premier League, with the winger making just two appearances from the bench in all competitions.
With Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd saying Chiesa still looked rusty in Saturday’s 3-0 win against AFC Bournemouth, the 26-year-old forward might have some way to go before he’s starting the biggest of games for Liverpool in the Premier League and in Europe.
Yet Arne Slot has delivered an exciting update on Chiesa’s fitness ahead of tomorrow’s League Cup tie against West Ham.
Chiesa in line to make first Liverpool start vs West Ham
Speaking to the press, the Dutch coach confirmed that Chiesa is fit enough to start for Liverpool against West Ham, though the Italian international is not ready yet to play an entire 90 minute game against a Premier League side.
With Liverpool set to heavily rotate their side for tomorrow’s League Cup tie, Chiesa making his first start for the Reds would make a lot of sense for Slot, who has the attacking options to start a brand-new front-three against the Hammers.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa from net worth to stats
Slot said when asked if Chiesa is fit enough to play a full 90 minutes for Liverpool against West Ham: “I don’t think he’s able to play 90 minutes. He’s only played 25 at a maximum in the last three or four months, he didn’t play any friendlies with Juventus as well.
“But he’s able to start, in our opinion, and if he will, let’s see. There are many options we have, but he’s able to start, in our opinion, but I don’t think he’s able to play 90 minutes at the level we’re playing at tomorrow against a strong West Ham team.”
Slot could be adventurous with his starting XI vs West Ham
Given the nature of the League Cup, wholesale changes are expected from Liverpool in tomorrow’s third-round tie against West Ham, who they themselves could also make some big changes ahead of their trip to Anfield.
And for Slot, the Dutch coach could decide to be adventurous in his starting XI to face the Irons, with Chiesa getting a first start a move that a lot of Liverpool fans would love to see tomorrow night.
Indeed, the likes of Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota also returning to the XI would be quite a sight for Liverpool supporters, and a rotated team will give a number of players the chance to impress the fans and Slot in what might be a big night for certain individuals.
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