Arne Slot reveals which match he’s preparing to give Federico Chiesa some proper game time for Liverpool

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Liverpool are getting closer and closer to having full availability within the squad.

The Reds have managed well with the injuries they’ve had during the early part of the campaign, but that doesn’t mean it has been easy.

While teams such as Arsenal and Man City have publicly decried their injury ‘crises’, Liverpool have just gotten on with it.

Nevertheless, that isn’t to say that the Liverpool squad has not had its issues.

One player who has had more than most has been new signing Federico Chiesa. Having played just 78 minutes across three appearances since arriving in August, Chiesa has barely been seen at all.

But after Arne Slot confirmed that the Italian is back fit ahead of Saturday’s clash with Fulham, the Liverpool head coach also suggested when Chiesa might be in line for some meaningful minutes.

Federico Chiesa set for Carabao Cup chance

It is superb news that Chiesa is back to full health and ready to make an impact at Liverpool.

The former Juventus winger can surely be a difference maker for the Reds if he’s able to sustain his fitness. Hopefully the extended recovery time will have aided him in the long-run.

Speaking in his pre-Fulham press conference on Friday, though, Slot suggested that his next task is trying to find the right time for Chiesa to get his match fitness back up to speed.

“What makes it difficult is that we play so many games,” said the Dutch coach.

“What he needs is playing time, and the problem is if you haven’t played for five or six months it’s sometimes difficult for a manager to give him his first minutes, because you don’t exactly know what to expect.”

READ MORE: Arne Slot confirms whether Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa will be back for Liverpool vs Fulham

“Yes, I see him on the training ground but ideally you see him in a friendly during the week or an under 21 game, but that is not the situation we have, we play so many games,” Slot added.

“Maybe the Southampton game might be a good moment for him to get some playing minutes and then we know a bit better what we can expect from him.

“Of course we see and know his qualities but he needs to get his fitness level you need to have playing time to reach certain fitness levels. If you are competing for the league and Champions League it’s not always easy to find these minutes.”

Will Chiesa play before Southampton?

Although Slot was positive on Chiesa’s fitness, he did also suggest that given his illness in midweek involvement at Fulham is still touch and go.

The game against the Cottagers is actually Liverpool’s only fixture before facing Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

As a result, we’d suggest that Slot is planning to keep Chiesa back for Saturday’s game before unleashing him – probably from the bench – against the Saints.

Liverpool’s next game is then on the following Sunday against Tottenham and whether the 27-year-old will play there will likely depend on his reaction at St Mary’s.

Supporters have had to be patient with Chiesa, but hopefully he can now start to show why Liverpool were convinced to sign him over the summer.