Liverpool manager Arne Slot is confident Federico Chiesa will play a bigger role for the Reds this season, describing the Italian forward as being “totally different” since returning from the summer break.
Chiesa, who missed the pre-season tour of Asia and attracted interest from Serie A clubs, made an immediate impact off the bench in Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth, scoring the winning goal. Arne Slot believes that the goal reflected more than just a moment of brilliance.
“I see a totally different Federico now than through large parts of last season,” Arne Slot told reporters in his pre-Newcastle press conference on Thursday.
“Which is completely normal, because he missed out on the whole pre-season and then came into a Premier League rhythm in terms of amount of games and in terms of intensity. He’s in a much better place now.”
The Dutch manager explained that Chiesa’s renewed fitness and focus mean he could have a greater impact throughout the campaign. “If he’s more available, then he already has more chances to impact our results or his playing time,” he added.
With the departures of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz this summer, Liverpool’s senior attacking options are now limited to Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, and Chiesa, with 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha available in support. Slot highlighted how Chiesa’s fitness gives the Reds more tactical depth:
“When we needed a goal and I looked to the bench, I only had him and Rio. For me, although Rio did really well in pre-season, it was quite a normal choice to make to bring Chiesa in, and he delivered.”
Chiesa himself has also underlined his commitment to Liverpool after netting his first Premier League goal.
“I play wherever the coach puts me. I arrived here and had a lot of difficulty because the tempo is just so different, but after a year, I finally got my first Premier League goal. The coach gave me a chance and always had words of encouragement for me,” he explained.
“We will talk to Liverpool, but to be perfectly honest, I am happy here. I am playing for one of the best teams in the world. I just have to wait and be ready, as I was tonight, and prove that I can play for this team. I repeat, the coach has treated me very well in these months.”
With Chiesa more settled, fitter, and determined to show his quality, Arne Slot’s belief in a “totally different” Federico could prove decisive for Liverpool this season.
