Chiesa still not guaranteed more playing time at Liverpool – Football Italia

Arne Slot insists Liverpool can ‘trust’ Federico Chiesa, but doesn’t guarantee more playing time for the Italy international: ‘You can’t deny Mo Salah has had quite a good season!’

Liverpool host Everton in a Merseyside Derby at Anfield this evening, but Chiesa is not expected to start for the Reds.

The Italian has only made 11 appearances this season, scoring two goals and providing as many assists.

Slot was asked at a press conference on Tuesday whether the ex-Juventus and Fiorentina star would get more playing time in the coming weeks, but the Dutch coach could not guarantee it.

Chiesa still not guaranteed more playing time at Liverpool

“I didn’t see a lot of him during training sessions because we had so many games and he was injured more than he and we wanted,” Slot said.

“But it was good that he impacted the game when he came in. It has happened a lot this season that a player comes in and impacts a game. It’s good to see that all these players are ready.”

Chiesa scored a goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss in the EFL Cup Final against Sandro Tonali’s Newcastle before the March break.

“It’s part of my job and the players’ job to stay ready when we need them,” Slot continued.

“It’s a competition with Mo Salah, and you can’t deny that Mo has had quite a good season. Sometimes that can make it tough for him, but we know we can trust him.”

Chiesa has only made three Premier League appearances this term, none as a starter.

The Italian has featured in the Reds’ XI three times in 11 appearances this term, missing 14 matches due to injuries.