Liverpool are dealing with a very mini injury crisis as they prepare to take on Arsenal in the Premier League.
While the Gunners have a number of high-profile absentees such as William Saliba, Martin Odegaard and potentially Bukayo Saka, the Reds have some issues of their own.
Obviously, Alisson Becker is set to miss the game at the Emirates, although given Caoimhin Kelleher’s brilliant form, perhaps the Liverpool have already handled that blow.
Elsewhere, Harvey Elliott is another one certain not to play, with Conor Bradley set to be ruled out for a few weeks, too. There are issues in the forward line as well, although there appears to be a chance that Diogo Jota could be in the picture after missing Wednesday’s game against RB Leipzig.
Liverpool could do with Jota back because injury to Federico Chiesa means that they’re already one option short in attack.
And after some strange reports that Liverpool could send Chiesa on-loan in January, journalist David Lynch has now given an insight into the Italian’s situation.
Liverpool insiders ‘optimistic’ on Federico Chiesa
Chiesa has not been given the chance to really get going at Liverpool just yet.
Although the 27-year-old looked absolutely delighted to join the club back in August, injuries have restricted him to just 78 minutes of action so far.
Chiesa has looked lively during that time on the pitch, though, and he’ll surely be itching to get back out there and prove himself in a Liverpool shirt.
Speaking on Anfield Agenda on Thursday, reporter Lynch rubbished claims that Chiesa could go out on-loan and gave an update on what’s being said inside Anfield about the Italy international.
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“I’d be amazed if Chiesa goes anywhere on loan,” said the journalist. “Slot admitted that he’s struggling to adapt to the intensity of the Premier League and they kind of wish he’d had a pre-season with them.
“But again, the idea that you’d somehow get him ready for the intensity of English football by sending him back on-loan to Italy doesn’t kind of make sense to me. So, I can’t see anything happening on that.
“I spoke to someone earlier this week actually about Chiesa and it kind of seems like he’s not too far away,” added Lynch. “It’s just he keeps getting these niggles in training and it’s causing him issues, but they seem kind of optimistic on it.”
When could Federico Chiesa return
While this is good news on Chiesa, it would be nice to get a timeline on when he could be back available for Liverpool.
Arne Slot was not giving too much away in that respect when asked about the No.14 earlier this week.
What seems certain is that this weekend’s trip to Arsenal and probably the midweek Carabao Cup game with Brighton will come too soon for Chiesa.
However, perhaps we’ll see the winger return to face the Seagulls in the Premier League the following weekend.
Either way, there seems to be hope that Chiesa can make his comeback before the next international break. Fingers crossed, anyway.
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