Federico Chiesa Liverpool debut impacted by latest Arne Slot injury setback

Liverpool star Federico Chiesa.
-Credit: (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)


Liverpool's recent injury blow may present a quicker than planned opportunity for new summer signing Federico Chiesa. The Reds signed the Italy international from Juventus during the summer in a deal potentially worth up to £12.5million - and Chiesa was their only senior outfield addition.

Chiesa is yet to make his debut for Liverpool after he was signed just 48 hours before the Reds faced Manchester United in their last match-up before the international break. The 26-year-old has been training alongside Liverpool U21s at the AXA Training Centre during the gap in a bid to sharpen up his fitness.

Arne Slot faced a nervous wait to see all of the Liverpool players on international duty return injury-free. However, the Reds were dealt a blow when it came to Harvey Elliott's availability.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer failure explained as winger had 'suitcase ready' for move

READ MORE: Joshua Zirkzee sends Ryan Gravenberch message as Liverpool rivals and Virgil van Dijk critic agree

Elliott now faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a fractured foot while on England U21s duty. The midfielder could be out of action for up to six weeks, while he recovers from the injury, meaning he may not return until after the next international break at the end of October.

Slot is yet to hand Elliott his first start of the season, with the 21-year-old's one and only appearance coming from the substitutes bench against Brentford. However, with Liverpool's schedule set to get busier and busier with the return of Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup football this month, Elliott was (probably) in line to receive more game-time as Slot looked to rotate his squad.

The injury to Elliott, though, means that there won't be as much wiggle room as many would've desired. That said, it could present a welcome chance for Chiesa.

Liverpool face Nottingham Forest in their first match after the international break. With no Elliott available, there will automatically be an extra space in the matchday squad that could be taken up by Chiesa.

It's likely that a start for the Italy international on Saturday afternoon (3pm) will be too soon, given Chiesa did not have a full pre-season with Juventus before he signed for Liverpool. The Reds will, likely, look to gradually build up the forward's minutes in the weeks ahead before he's ready to be included in their starting line-up.

With that being said, it's still possible Chiesa could be given a debut for Liverpool this weekend. The abilities that the forward possesses mean that the Reds will always have a goalscoring option to call upon, even if the ex-Juve man is only available as a change-up in the first instance.

After facing Forest, Liverpool will travel to Italy next week to take on AC Milan in their first league phase game of the revamped Champions League. That will be followed by a home clash against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League - before taking on West Ham in the Carabao Cup third round.