Federico Chiesa's time is now – Arne Slot must trust him in Mohamed Salah's absence

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Mohamed Salah's potential month-long absence would have once sounded like a nightmare for Liverpool, but one star can turn it into dreamland if he makes the most of his chanceEvery cloud has a silver lining, and Mohamed Salah's absence from the Liverpool line-up for what could be the next month is no exception. And Chiesa may harbour private hopes his team-mate remains indisposed as long as possible if he's to maximise his opportunity.The former Juventus man is still awaiting his first league start of the season, something that could change in Saturday's home clash against Wolves.

Again, however, Chiesa is on standby to offer some very welcome aid just when the attack is crying out for it.It's a fitting contrast that while Salah's recent omission from Slot's squad led to a fiery response, Chiesa was calmer under similar conditions. The Euro 2024 winner even turned down an Italy call-up in November because he "didn't feel 100 per cent," something that's perhaps due to the notion he has something to prove for his club.Slot detailed Chiesa's "unhappy" response to being left out of this season's European selection, at least for the time being.

Some of the forward's best moments in red have been fashioned out of chaos, whereas Slot's preference for control and possession tactics maybe doesn't suit his strengths quite as well.His go-ahead goal to give Liverpool the lead in their season-opener against Bournemouth, for example, was a spark of brilliance under immense pressure. He's also showed dogged fight with key influences in equalising against Manchester United and Crystal Palace, as well as setting up both goals in a 2-1 EFL Cup win over Southampton, yet is still absent from the XI.As has been noted, there's also no doubting the £12million signing's work ethic.