Tag: Federico Chiesa

PSV 3 – 2 Liverpool: UEFA Champions League Man of the Match

Federico Chiesa

Liverpool’s heavily rotated squad faced a tough challenge against PSV, who lead the Dutch Eredivisie and needed a victory to boost their chances of advancing. It was always going to be difficult for the Reds to remain organized and competitive in such a situation. Federico Chiesa, the talented Italian forward, was given a rare starting spot, and this match was seen as an opportunity for him to prove to his manager that he could play a significant role in the team’s pursuit of glory.

In a relentless first half, the 27-year-old was all over the pitch, constantly pressuring his defenders and never letting them rest. The opening goal came from a penalty taken by Cody Gakpo, though the penalty itself was earned by Chiesa, who was fouled after tirelessly pressing a defender. As the game swung back and forth, Chiesa also provided a brilliant assist for Harvey Elliott’s goal, putting Liverpool 2-0 up.

Considering the lack of major signings in the summer, the £10m spent to acquire Chiesa from Fiorentina now appears to be a smart investment. With a focus on integrating him carefully, the second half of the season could see a fully fit and rejuvenated forward, once touted as a Ballon d’Or candidate, contribute to Liverpool’s success. Even if Chiesa doesn’t reach those elite levels again, he could still become a hero at Anfield and play a key role in winning silverware.

While the match featured a mix of inexperienced and fringe players, Chiesa played with the intensity of a World Cup final. His boundless energy and determination might see him earn more first-team opportunities in the coming weeks. His versatility and passion are making his appearances count. PSV’s Arne Slot would surely have been impressed by Chiesa’s performance, and with ongoing questions about the fitness of Diogo Jota and the form of Darwin Núñez, the time for this Italian talent to shine at Liverpool could be nearing.

Next up: Bournemouth, where Chiesa could now be a popular choice for a weekend bench appearance.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:
PSV 2 – 2 Liverpool

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Arne Slot must unleash key player as Liverpool await crucial answer to big question within 24 hours

In a dramatic 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, Liverpool had to fight back after an early deficit, and the key to their second-half resurgence came from an inspired double substitution. The importance of Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota‘s first touches in this match may not be fully realized until later in the season, but their impact was clear.

For now, Arne Slot will be left reflecting on several missed opportunities, as Forest goalkeeper Mats Sels was in outstanding form, denying Liverpool a crucial victory. Sels was superb, keeping out efforts from Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Jota, while Ola Aina also made a crucial clearance off the line. This resilience from Forest is exactly why they currently sit second in the league, showing their ability to withstand intense pressure from Liverpool’s attacking waves.

Though Forest may not challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title come May, their defense is proving formidable, and a top-four finish looks very attainable, especially with rivals like Chelsea and Manchester City faltering after their own 2-2 draws earlier this week. If Arne Slot truly believes those teams are still title contenders, then no ground was lost here for Liverpool.

In terms of defensive solidity, Forest certainly deserve recognition. Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo were exceptional, exemplifying why Forest have conceded only 20 goals in 21 games—matching Liverpool‘s defensive record. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer.

From the outset, Liverpool controlled the game, dominating possession against a Forest side that opted to sit back rather than press. The hosts were content to invite Liverpool forward and defend deep, but, as in their previous meeting in September, a sharp counterattack caught Liverpool off guard. Chris Wood capitalized on the hosts’ first shot on target, finding the net after just eight minutes.

Federico Chiesa’s future at Liverpool has been a topic of intense speculation in recent weeks.

After facing difficulties securing playing time following his summer transfer from Juventus, rumors emerged suggesting a potential January loan move to Napoli.

However, Chiesa’s agent, Fali Ramadani, has squashed these rumors, confirming that the Italian forward will remain at Liverpool.

Chiesa, who joined Liverpool in August for £12 million, has struggled to break into Arne Slot’s starting lineup. He has made just one Premier League appearance—coming on as a substitute in September—and has featured in only four games across all competitions.

His most recent appearance came during Liverpool’s 2-0 Carabao Cup quarterfinal victory over Southampton in December.

What Federico Chiesa’s agent said about his Liverpool future and Napoli loan

In an interview with 365scores, Ramadani firmly ruled out any possibility of Chiesa leaving Anfield in January.

“Napoli did not negotiate a contract with Chiesa from Liverpool in the winter period, and the club has no intention of letting go of the player,” he explained.

“The player is continuing with Liverpool and is seeking the opportunity to participate in the coming period. This is what I can confirm now.”

Despite his limited game time, Chiesa was included in Liverpool’s squad for the 2-2 draw against Manchester United, though he remained an unused substitute.

With Liverpool involved in several competitions, including a crucial Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, Chiesa could still play a vital role in the team’s season.

Federico Chiesa’s second chance at Liverpool

Liverpool signed Chiesa hoping he could replicate the form that saw him contribute over 20 goals and assists in multiple seasons at Juventus.

Although injuries and fitness struggles have hindered his progress, there is still optimism that the 27-year-old can find his form and justify the club’s investment in him.

As Liverpool competes for trophies on multiple fronts, Chiesa’s contributions in the second half of the season could prove crucial.

Liverpool are thriving this season under Arne Slot’s guidance, with their impressive performances in both the Premier League and the Champions League reflecting this success.

The team currently tops the standings in both competitions, with several players delivering some of the best football of their careers.

Mohamed Salah has rediscovered his best form, while players such as Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch, and others are all playing crucial roles in the team’s success.

Despite this, there is one player struggling to make an impact at Anfield, and his frustration with Slot not giving him enough playing time this season might lead to a departure in the upcoming January transfer window.

As reported by FootMercato, Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa is considering a move away from the club in January after becoming frustrated with his lack of opportunities since his summer arrival.

Chiesa was Liverpool’s only signing in the summer, and while his transfer was initially regarded as one of the best deals of the window, he has yet to make an impact in the Premier League.

Federico Chiesa has faced difficulties in adjusting at Liverpool

The Italian winger has faced difficulties settling into the team, as he joined without a proper preseason and struggled with fitness issues, hindering his ability to adapt to the Premier League.

As a result, Slot has given him limited playing time this season, and Chiesa is now looking for a way out of the club.

The report suggests that Napoli, along with AC Milan and Barcelona, could be potential destinations for the former Juventus player.

Liverpool are reportedly open to the idea of Chiesa leaving on loan to gain playing time elsewhere, with the hope that he will return to Anfield in better form and fitness.

While the Reds are heading in the right direction under the Dutch manager, the only blemish on his tenure so far has been his inability to fully utilize Chiesa.

A move away from Liverpool might allow the player to regain his form and fitness, and with the January transfer window approaching, it could be the ideal time to explore that option.

Additionally, another Liverpool player has informed the club of his desire to leave.

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Milos Kerkez’s decision revealed as Liverpool uncover key advantage for January transfer

Liverpool remain linked with Bournemouth’s young left-back Milos Kerkez, who has made an important decision about his future ahead of the January transfer window amid growing interest from both Liverpool and Manchester United.

The 21-year-old Hungary international joined Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar, the club previously managed by Arne Slot, during the summer of 2023. Richard Hughes, who is currently Liverpool’s sporting director, was Bournemouth’s technical director at the time, fueling the speculation linking Kerkez with a move to Anfield.

Liverpool is one of several Premier League clubs reportedly monitoring Kerkez’s progress at Bournemouth, with Manchester United also mentioned as a potential suitor. Some reports even suggest United’s interest may be more substantial.

Despite Bournemouth’s solid Premier League form, with eight wins from 19 games so far, Kerkez seems ready to leave the club, whether in January or the summer. The club is currently managed by Andoni Iraola, who has guided them to a promising start this season.

In a move that may signal a potential transfer, Kerkez has switched to a new agency, signing with Fali Ramadani’s Lian Sports, which also represents Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa, who joined the Reds from Juventus in the summer.

Kerkez announced the change on Instagram, where he was officially welcomed to the agency. It remains to be seen if this shift in representation leads to any movement regarding his future, though journalist Fabrizio Romano has noted that Kerkez is one to watch ahead of the transfer window.

Liverpool currently have Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas competing for the left-back role, but both players have faced fitness and form issues at various points this season. As a result, there are ongoing rumors suggesting that the club may look to strengthen the position in the coming months

Federico Chiesa transferred from Juventus to Liverpool this summer for a modest fee, but his start on Merseyside has been challenging.

Italian media suggest that Chiesa might consider returning to Serie A in January after a rocky beginning at Liverpool. The 27-year-old winger joined Anfield for £10 million and was initially seen as a smart addition. However, he has struggled to adapt to the Premier League.

After helping Liverpool secure a 2-1 win against Wolves last month, Chiesa has been out of action due to an injury he sustained during training before their Champions League match against Bologna. He has made only three appearances, with just one start.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot addressed Chiesa’s situation before the recent match against RB Leipzig, noting, “He missed a complete pre-season, I said this many times, and going to a league where the intensity might even be higher than the Italian league makes it difficult for him to reach the intensity levels the rest of the team are at.”

Chiesa’s difficulties have led to speculation about a potential loan when the transfer window reopens. Calciomercato reports that Liverpool might consider loaning him out in January to evaluate his future.

Slot explained, “That has not so much to do with the Italian league or the Premier League, that has more to do with him missing a complete pre-season, which is difficult for every player when the games are constantly there to build them up towards the levels we are at.”

Italian clubs like Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Roma are reportedly interested in a short-term deal for Chiesa. However, Slot seems to have ruled out any immediate plans for him to leave. “It’s a big disappointment for him that he is going in and out of the training sessions all the time. I feel sorry for him,” he said. “But he signed a long-term contract so we will see what he brings for us. At the moment, unfortunately for him, he has been in the team selection only once or twice.”

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Arne Slot REACHES agreement for IMPORTANT Liverpool signing

Liverpool is poised to finalize a deal for a significant addition to Arne Slot’s coaching team.

The Dutch manager has already enlisted several former colleagues from his time at Feyenoord, including his assistant Sipke Hulshoff and the club’s lead physical performance coach, Ruben Peeters.

It’s evident that Slot prefers to have trusted personnel with whom he has an established rapport. This approach is not uncommon; Jurgen Klopp similarly brought in his own staff when he joined the club.

Now, it appears Slot is on the verge of incorporating another vital staff member from Feyenoord into the Anfield setup.

Liverpool is set to appoint Roderick van der Ham

According to Dutch outlet 1908.nl. The new addition to Arne Slot’s staff will be Feyenoord’s video analyst, with whom Slot has worked since 2022 before his move to Anfield this summer.

During their collaboration, Slot and the 33-year-old Van der Ham worked together for over 95 matches. Van der Ham has held various positions in football since he was 18, including serving as a video analyst for the Dutch U19 national team and at clubs like RKC Waalwijk and Heracles in both the Dutch first and second tiers. He also previously worked as a fitness coach at NAC Breda.

While it’s unclear what role Van der Ham will assume at Liverpool, it’s likely to be similar to his previous position under Slot. He also appears to have some familiarity with English football, having visited Manchester City’s campus in 2018, as noted on his Instagram.

At 33, Van der Ham demonstrates considerable drive and ambition, making him an ideal fit for Liverpool’s staff. Slot’s familiarity with him indicates he values Van der Ham highly, further justifying his appointment.

Playing at Anfield for the first time was a memorable moment for Federico Chiesa, who enjoyed being part of Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth.

The Italy forward made his home debut for the Reds after coming off the bench in the second half of Saturday’s match, which featured goals from Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez in a quick succession before halftime.

When asked if playing at Anfield met his expectations, Chiesa told Liverpoolfc.com: “Yes, yes, yes, it did! Hearing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” for the first time from the bench, it was amazing.

“It was amazing also against Nottingham Forest, but unfortunately we lost, but today was really amazing. I enjoyed every bit of it.

“I think I played seven minutes in Milan, I didn’t play too much, but I was very, very happy to make my debut in Milan and today I just had to be ready. When the coach told me to get in the game, I was so happy and relieved because I wanted to play here at Anfield.”

In the post-match interview, Chiesa discussed several topics:

On the team’s performance, he said, “Yeah, it was a big result for us. I think we showed a great performance today after a big loss against Nottingham Forest at home. Today we wanted to demonstrate that we are a big team, a great team that wants to perform at the highest level.”

On recording two impressive wins in a week, he noted, “We had a great result in Milan against a great team, and today we showed that we are a really good team. We need to keep playing like this.”

Regarding Diaz’s performance, he stated, “He is playing really good, but I think the entire team performed well today. We needed to bounce back from the Nottingham loss, and we showed a great performance. Lucho scored a fantastic brace, but everyone played well, so congratulations to all.”

On his first touch being a shot from distance, he remarked, “Yeah, first ball! I saw the ball bounce and thought, ‘Why not?’ I was a bit unlucky. I hit the post, but I was offside. I just came in wanting to help the team and run for the team—that’s my role.”

When asked if he feels ready for more minutes against West Ham United midweek, he replied, “Yes, I am. I’m training harder and faster to be ready, but it depends on the coach. When he wants me to play, I’ll be ready.”

Finally, regarding Liverpool’s strong start with four wins in five Premier League games, he acknowledged, “Yes they are, but the Premier League is really tough, and we have the Champions League too. However, we showed against Milan and today that we can have a good run in both competitions.”