Federico Chiesa will play some part in Liverpool’s EFL Cup quarter-final at Southampton tomorrow night.
The Italy international has struggled with injuries and a general lack of fitness since his summer move from Juventus and has made just three appearances, the last of which came on September 25 in the win over West Ham at Anfield.
He was an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw with Fulham at the weekend but will play a part at St. Mary’s.
Arne Slot’s provides an injury update on his squad 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DL7WHgTUT4
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Reds boss Arne Slot said: “It is definitely a moment where he can get minutes. The amount of minutes is the question. You cannot expect from him to play 90, I think, especially not at this level, where the intensity is so high because he has been out for five or six months now. If he has a good training session he will get minutes.
“If he starts, or comes in and maybe plays the second half, that is something we will have to make a decision about.”
Diogo Jota won’t start after missing training yesterday but Slot hinted Japan midfielder Wataru Endo would play.
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Liverpool progress is ‘normal’
Liverpool go into the game having had their lead at the top of the Premier League cut to two points but still going strong in all three competitions in which they are currently taking part.
Asked if he had been surprised by Liverpool’s impressive start, Slot said: “I think that is normal for Liverpool to be fighting for every trophy and to be for a long time in every cup to go all the way.
“This happened last season when this club won this [EFL Cup] competition. So I am not surprised with the quality we have that we are competing at this moment for these three trophies, and the fourth one [the FA Cup] is starting in January.
“It is a challenge because we have a lot of great competition here in other teams as well. In the League Cup, if you look at the other teams that are still in it, none of the teams that are in are going to be an easy road to the final.”
Slot has sympathy for Martin
Liverpool face a Southampton side still reeling from the sacking of head coach Russell Martin on Sunday, shortly after their 5-0 defeat at home to Tottenham.
Slot expressed sympathy for the former Scotland international, and Wolves boss Gary O’Neil who was also dismissed at the weekend, but accepted results ultimately decide a manager’s fate.
He said: ”In my opinion it is a pity. These things happen. Russell Martin has done so well last season for Southampton. This season again [his side] played good football. We experienced this when we had such a tough day over there. We only beat them 3-2.
“So you always feel sorry if managers don’t get the chance to continue. Especially in these two situations because for me they were managers who had a good idea of how they wanted to play with their team. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to get enough points – then managers get sacked.”
