Federico Chiesa agreement reached as Liverpool January plan takes shape

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But the immediate futures of Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah could now become entwined for Reds boss Arne SlotFew could argue against Salah being nowhere near his devastating best this campaign, while Chiesa has predominantly made the most of his first-team opportunities with two goals and two assists in less than 180 minutes of action.Salah has helped Egypt qualify for the World Cup this week and could be missing for up to 10 games from Christmas onwards due to participating in the Africa Cup of Nations for his country. And while Slot has tentatively earmarked Jeremie Frimpong for the right- flank role in Salah's absence, could Chiesa become a realistic option?

The ECHO writers take a look...READ MORE: Florian Wirtz message unmistakable as team-mate shocked by Liverpool reportsREAD MORE: Virgil van Dijk left 'on edge' as Liverpool defender given 'painful' verdictPaul GorstWhile far from his vintage best in the early weeks of the new season, a late-December period without Mohamed Salah should be a prospect that concerns Arne Slot.It's one of the busiest times of the Premier League calendar, so the idea of losing the Egyptian talisman is far from ideal, but it is at least something Liverpool are used to, with the Africa Cup of Nations rolling around every two years.The expensive rebuild of the forward department in the summer means the likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz will be made to shoulder the responsibility for the goals and assists in Salah's absence, while Cody Gakpo will also be expected to decisively contribute.But as the Salah door gets set to temporarily close for Slot, the window for Federico Chiesa opens and a fit and firing Italian could be just what is needed later this season.The man-of-the-match cameo against Southampton in the Carabao Cup was followed up by an equaliser off the bench at Crystal Palace recently, but momentum has been halted this time out by a minor knock that kept him out of the trip to Galatasaray before he kicked his heels on the bench at Chelsea also.If he can get nearer to full pelt by the end of December, however, Chiesa will be the best fit to fill in where Salah won't be and while that is something that has been said seemingly time and again during the former Juventus man's time on Merseyside, the AFCON will leave Slot with few alternatives.Jeremie Frimpong was signed as someone who could deputise for Salah but Chiesa is much more of a natural fit as a frontman. Mohamed Salah will soon rediscover his mojo, and that he has scored twice for Egypt in midweek will hopefully act as a boost for his confidence and settle any concerns he may have over his game.Salah isn't going to become inessential overnight.

And as such, Liverpool are going to miss him when he disappears for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which runs between December 21 and January 18.Jeremie Frimpong had appeared the most likely replacement with Arne Slot already attempting to blood him in the position.Hugo Ekitike could presumably also do a job given his versatility across the front line but will perhaps be needed elsewhere, while Cody Gakpo for now remains the first choice on the left flank although he did play on the right when Salah was at the AFCON two years ago.Easy to forget, though, that when Federico Chiesa was brought from Juventus last summer, it was primarily as understudy to Salah.Such chances have been scarce since. Chiesa, though, has become a more viable attacking alternative for Liverpool this season, and should be given minutes over the next few months with a view to potentially stepping in for the Egyptian.Will he start every game when Salah is away?