The sheer number of points lost was worrying, and the pressure was firmly on Arne Slot and the players to turn things around, but now we’ve received a disturbing glimpse behind the scenes.
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Salah did not travel on Monday and missed Tuesday’s victory over Inter Milan at San Siro, but both Cody Gakpo and federico chiesa He was also lost due to injury. That left Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha as the only forwards available for Slot to use.
Fortunately, it has been revealed that Chiesa only has an illness, rather than a physical condition problem, and while it is true that The Italian was sidelined even when Salah was benched.Slot may not have that luxury when Brighton travel to Anfield on Saturday. One last chance awaits you.
Slot’s hand is finally forced
The Dutchman’s reluctance to play against Chiesa It has been well documented, opting for his usual response in press conferences when asked why the Italian does not play. It is always said that “every player has the opportunity to start”, although in Chiesa’s world that only happens in cup games.
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Two starts, in which he played 90 minutes each, have improved his overall season record, with just 223 minutes offered outside of the Carabao Cup matches against Southampton and Crystal Palace.
His fitness levels could not be better, compared to how much he struggled last season, and yet he cannot be used, despite scoring twice and receiving three assists in the limited opportunities he has received.
As mentioned above, it’s not like Salah has stood in his way. In the last four games, Salah has played just 45 minutes, while Chiesa just 13 minutes. There is an unwillingness to relate to him.
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Slot might feel his place is secured for now, as the club has opted to back him, but the cardinal sin of not rotating his squad enough, instead hang Salah to dry – is going unnoticed.
Beyond the weekend’s game against Brighton, it is certain that Chiesa will be the only right winger at the club, and following the information regarding Gakpo’s injury, which Liverpool ECHO believe will keep him out until Christmas, it is clear that Slot will have no choice but to give Chiesa more playing time.
Ngumoha could play on the left side at times, although his lack of experience and limited fitness at senior level means his minutes will likely be limited, and playing with both Isak and Ekitike hasn’t worked out so far.
An injury to one of the two would shift the burden of the busy festive period to the other. It’s a risk Slot can’t take too often, because it could end badly.
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So it seems as if Chiesa will have to re-enter the foldand it could be his last chance to shine as a Liverpool player.
The prospect of a January move is something you will seriously consider, given He is likely to remain on the bench for the rest of the season. when those favored ahead of him become available again.
Earning money as a footballer is the dream of most fans, but there comes a point when you need to kick a ball in a competitive environment, and Chiesa rarely enjoys those moments.
If the Italian’s circumstances do not change over the next month, then the writing is on the wall for him, especially as it seems impossible to fathom Slot getting through this period without using him, even if it is simply to make up the numbers. If he gets the chance, he’ll have to impress Slot.