Federico Chiesa’s career at Liverpool has been marked by flashes of brilliance, yet he has found himself on the fringes more often than expected.
The Italian joined Liverpool a year ago but has only started one Premier League game, and that came last season after the title had already been wrapped up.
While competition for attacking spots at a club of Liverpool’s stature is inevitable, Chiesa’s limited starting opportunities feel less like a reflection of his quality and more because of Arne Slot’s stubbornness.
Unfortunately, injuries, both his own and those within the squad, have played a significant part in influencing his availability and role.
When Chiesa arrived back in 2024, Liverpool was still working through the ripples of transition after the departure of Jurgen Klopp.
His explosive style built on acceleration and directness also requires rhythm.
Only playing 143 league minutes this season and its now the start of December so these stop-start run of minutes makes it difficult for a player like Chiesa to hit top gear consistently.
The 28-year-old has not been helped by the team shifting between a fluid 4-3-3 and a more controlled 4-2-3-1.
Wide players have needed to contribute heavily to build-up play.
Chiesa, who shines in transitional moments and final-third chaos, has at times been asked to operate in more possession-based roles that don’t emphasise his strengths.
When he has come on as a substitute, it’s often been too late in the game to make an impact, and it makes it more difficult to gel with his teammates.
Despite these challenges, the argument for giving the winger a constant run of starts is convincing.
#His ability to still manage to get goals and assists in the few minutes he gets shows he has big moments in him.
Averaging a goal or assists every 76 minutes this season betters any of Liverpool’s forward line with his two goals and three assists illustrating the end product he has.
Yet, marquee signing Florian Wirtz is averaging a goal or assists every 321 minutes but continues to keep the faith of the manger.
The former has only played 384 minutes all season whereas Wirtz has conjured up 1284 perhaps showing Slot has favourites.
His underlying number in defensive actions too is what Liverpool forwards used to be all about starting off the press and getting the crowd involved.
Despite playing the least of the all the attackers he has made the most 3rd tackles with eight and the joint most blocks with two, suggesting his impact would increase with more time on the pitch.
New signings Alexander Isak and Wirtz have not even made a block perhaps signalling why the Reds have been struggling.
Chiesa has been unlucky not because he lacks ability but because timing, formation change, and Slot’s reluctance to bench his new signings have worked against him.
Give him a run of games and Liverpool may unlock a match-winner to spark their season into life.
