Federico Chiesa can no longer be ignored as Liverpool face availability crisis

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Federico Chiesa is yet to start in the Premier League or Champions League this season, but Liverpool’s mounting availability crisis means he can – and should – no longer be ignored. Chiesa’s latest role: A sub-of-a-sub-of-a-sub Chiesa pulled further clear as Slot’s most-used substitute this season when he came off the bench on Saturday – but did so in circumstances which hardly befit a player of his reputation.

“He was one of the senior players on that day and a few people have said how frustrated Slot was,” Steele explained in a live Q&A, “and that set Chiesa back somewhat.” Where Chiesa stands in Liverpool’s crisis of availability Chiesa has faced his own struggles for fitness since his initial £10 million move from Juventus in 2024, but it would not be fair to attribute his uphill battle for prominence this season to a lack of pre-season almost 18 months ago. At times it has seemed there is nothing Chiesa can do to improve his chances under Slot; for whatever reason, the head coach appears to have simply made his mind up on what he can offer and that is not in a starting role.

Isak is facing a long spell on the sidelines and Slot has already ruled Gakpo out until January, meaning Liverpool’s only senior forward options are: Ekitike, Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz and Chiesa. Why Chiesa has to start for Liverpool vs.