Why Chiesa’s full debut pleased Liverpool coach Slot | OneFootball

Liverpool coach Arne Slot was pleased that Italy international Federico Chiesa was able to play for 60 minutes during Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against West Ham, particularly given the difficult summer he endured while still at Juventus.

Chiesa made his full debut for Liverpool during Wednesday’s cup clash, providing an assist for teammate Diogo Jota after one of his shots on target was saved.

Slot pleased by increasing Chiesa minutes for Liverpool

“It was pleasing to see that he could already play 60 minutes because I think I said in the last press conference he hasn’t played a lot, maybe hasn’t played hardly any minutes in the last three or four months,” Slot said of the former Juventus winger.

Chiesa was forced to train individually for most of the summer after being informed that he was not going to be part of Thiago Motta’s plans in Turin heading into the 2024-25 campaign.

“For him it is important that apart from getting more match fitness, he has to have playing minutes – and that’s what he got today,” Slot continued.

“He assisted, although it was a shot on target that provided Diogo for a goal, worked really hard and I think it is normal he is not already in the top of his ability.”

Chiesa, who joined Liverpool on the final day of the summer transfer window, has only been at his new club for a matter of weeks, so Slot insists that there is still a lot for him to learn.

“He has to get used to the club, he has to get used to his teammates, he has to adjust to the playing style. It was very good to see how match fit he already is so we can use him if we need him.”

Chiesa and Liverpool will next be in action away against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Sunday evening, before a visit from Serie A outfit Bologna at Anfield in the Champions League on Wednesday night.