New Liverpool signing Federico Chiesa could make his Reds debut against Milan in the Uefa Champions League on Tuesday, manager Arne Slot has said.
Liverpool signed Italy winger Chiesa for £10 million plus £2.5m in potential add-ons from Juventus on August 29, two months after his last competitive match as part of the Azzurri side beaten by Switzerland in the round of 16 of Euro 2024.
“Since it’s the first time he’s in the [squad] selection, it would be a big surprise if he were to start,” said Slot. “You shouldn’t expect his first start but he could make a few minutes for the first time if we need him.
“That is something we will see [about]. He’s been training on his own for a long time for Juventus. He has had some training with us but he could get his first minutes in the upcoming fixtures.”
Milan bound 🛫🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/Mz4u5Xrvmc
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 16, 2024
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Chiesa Liverpool debut?
Chiesa played for 12 minutes of Juve’s 1-0 win at the San Siro last season and has a mixed record from encountering them with his former club and Fiorentina, winning four and losing five of his 13 appearances against the Rossoneri.
He scored the only goal when Fiorentina visited Milan during the 2018-19 campaign and netted twice in a 3-1 win for Juve there two seasons later.
“We believe he’s a player who combines quality with an enormous workrate,” said Slot. “The culture of this club and team is working really hard when we don’t have the ball and he brings that, in combination with scoring goals and being able to play in several positions up front.”
AC Milan v Liverpool ✨
A fixture full of European history 🎞️ pic.twitter.com/FWWEJmYqVB
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 16, 2024
Liverpool team news vs Milan
Slot gave an update on midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who was replaced by Conor Bradley after 60 minutes of Liverpool’s surprise 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday – the first time the Dutchman has failed to win since his appointment in June.
“I took him off to do with not playing 90 minutes with [his] national team [Argentina] and being out for a few days with an injury,” said Slot. “I think he’s able to play for 60 or 90 minutes.”
LIV ✈️ MIL 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/kKmi1tkf4V
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 16, 2024
Alisson: Chiesa ‘top-level’
Goalkeeper Alisson also discussed Chiesa, saying the 26-year-old has “proved his quality”. “He got injured and has had some ups and downs,” added the former Roma player.
“But the way he [arrived] in Liverpool was extremely positive, to me. He arrived with a great, huge smile painted on his face.
“Everybody is enthusiastic about Federico and he is extremely happy about playing. He shows his quality every day. We are lucky to count on him; he is a top-level player who can help our team.”
