Arne Slot reveals what’s going on with Federico Chiesa and whether he’ll play for Liverpool vs Brighton

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Liverpool have a few lingering injury issues ahead of Wednesday’s trip to face Brighton.

The Reds have so far been relatively well-off in terms of fitness problems through the early part of the season.

However, with big games now coming every three or four days, Liverpool could really do with everybody back and available.

Five players missed Sunday’s game against Arsenal and it had felt unlikely that any of that injured quintet would be ready in time to play Brighton.

With Arne Slot speaking to the press ahead of the Carabao Cup game with the Seagulls, the Liverpool head coach was asked whether that would be the case.

Perhaps the most in intriguing situation surrounded that of Federico Chiesa, who has not played at all since the last round of the competition against West Ham.

Arne Slot rules out Federico Chiesa

Chiesa has had a predictably frustrating start to life at Liverpool. The Italian has played just 78 minutes for the Reds.

There had been worries over his fitness record upon his move to Anfield and so far that has bore out.

Nevertheless, there had been hope that Chiesa would be available for the visit to Brighton in midweek.

But while also giving a positive update on Conor Bradley and a less positive update on Diogo Jota, Slot confirmed that the 27-year-old will not be playing just yet.

READ MORE: How long Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott is still set to be injured for

“Conor is training with us again so could be in squad tomorrow. Jota not, Elliott not, Alisson not,” said Slot.

“Federico I’m not expecting him to be in the squad tomorrow.

“It’s difficult to say [when he’ll be back], he’s sometimes up and down a bit,” added the Dutchman. “He trained a few days then goes out again. I don’t want to put days or weeks on it. We just want him to be in the best possible shape. No pressure on him.”

Who could start instead of Federico Chiesa?

While there had been a feeling that Chiesa may be back in the matchday squad against Brighton, it was always unlikely that the winger would start.

Having featured so little up to this point for Liverpool, the last thing the Reds want to do is throw him back in too soon.

As a result, this news should not change Slot’s plan for his starting XI at the Amex at all.

Given the low-priority nature of the Carabao Cup, it seems unlikely that Mohamed Salah will start for Liverpool.

Beyond resting Salah, though, Slot does not have a lot of other options. Brighton are strong and Liverpool cannot afford to stick a load of youngsters into the side. Consequently, we think in Jota and Chiesa’s absence, the Reds front three will read Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.