Arne Slot has addressed Federico Chiesa’s situation. (Image: Getty)
Arne Slot has admitted there are five Liverpool forwards harming Federico Chiesa’s hopes of regular first-team football with the club. The Italian international has struggled since his summer move from Juventus, making just three appearances for the Reds and nine in all competitions.
He’s scored just one goal in that time, and that came late in a 4-0 FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley.
But he was given a rare 90 minutes in the 3-2 Champions League to PSV on Wednesday, and one of his side’s better players with a hand in both goals.
However, the 27-year-old isn’t expected to keep his place for the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday. And in his pre-match press conference ahead of that clash, Slot was asked about the future prospects of the forward.
“He’s ready for more minutes,” said the Dutchman. “If you can play 90 at Champions League, then you can play 90 in the as well.
“His main problem is he is competition with Diaz, Gakpo, Nunez, Salah and Jota. They are doing very well as well. A big compliment to him is how hard he has worked.”
Federico Chiesa impressed at PSG. (Image: Getty)
Top scorer Salah, as well as Jota and Nunez, were all left at home in midweek with the Merseyside club already guaranteed their place in the last-16 of Europe’s elite competition. Gakpo meanwhile, came off early in the Netherlands, an indication the quartet were being held back for the Bournemouth trip.
Slot was also pressed on the comments of Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz, who in an interview with Uncensored this week admitted the Saudi Pro League were still chasing Salah. But he dismissed suggested concerns, insisting the comments had not shocked him.
“It would be a surprise if anyone said they didn’t want Mo Salah,” he said. “He has done so well for so many years and he has done so well without my advice – so he can keep doing what is best for his career.
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“My advice is different to the one you just mentioned (Saudi sports minister). I am not surprised someone wants him. He has done so many smart things in his career, so he will make the right decision for him and hopefully us in his career.”
Slot however, refused to be drawn on current contract talks with the Egyptian forward, Virgil van Dijk, and . He denied the trio had been subjected to special talks in comparison with the rest of his squad, saying: “It’s a non-stop process talking to all your players.”