Federico Chiesa set to repeat Mohamed Salah trick to unleash £41m Liverpool teammate

Federico Chiesa replacing Mohamed Salah as a substitute
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Diogo Jota is set to be the biggest beneficiary over the coming weeks and months of Liverpool signing Federico Chiesa. The winger's Champions League cameo offered hints of what he will bring to the team.

Chiesa, 26, only touched the ball once during his four minutes on the pitch, but the Italy international's intent was clear at San Siro. On multiple occasions, he made runs in behind the opposition backline from the right without being able to latch onto a ball.

However, the instance in which he did pick up possession was after drifting inside over to the left. Chiesa collected a loose ball and turned on the halfway line to counter before playing an overhit through ball for Dominik Szoboszlai.

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Passing is not particularly the player's forte - that is where he and Mohamed Salah, who he replaced in added-time against Milan, differ. While the Egyptian has become more adept at assisting throughout his Anfield career, his new teammate is more inclined to carry the ball, dribble at defences and take on his marker.

That is akin to how Salah himself arrived on Merseyside from Serie A. Both will therefore provide different threats on the right for Arne Slot to use as he sees fit and suggests they could play together, albeit forcing one through the middle or onto their unfavoured flank.

They have each played more centrally throughout their careers, with Chiesa predominantly positioned there last season at Juventus, albeit often playing off of a more recognised centre-forward in Dusan Vlahovic. While the Reds only have Darwin Nunez as the closest comparison to that archetype, they do have Jota.

The Portugal international being able to stay central rather than being pushed out to the right when Salah is not playing will be one of the benefits of having Chiesa as a direct replacement on that flank. That should also be the same for Cody Gakpo, with his preferred roles on the left and through the middle being his remit rather than needing to cover on the opposite side.