Federico Chiesa will play a role in Liverpool's League Cup quarter-final against Southampton tomorrow night.
The Italian international player has suffered from injuries and a general lack of fitness since his summer transfer from Juventus, and he participated in only three matches, the last of which came on September 25 in the victory over West Ham at Anfield.
He was an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw with Fulham at the weekend, but will play a role at St Mary's.
Arne Slot gives an injury update on his squad 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DL7WHgTUT4
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 17, 2024
“It's definitely a moment where he can get minutes,” Reds coach Arne Slott said. “The amount of minutes is the question. You can't expect him to play 90 minutes, I think, especially not at this level, where the intensity is so high because he missed He has been on the field for five or six months now and if he gets a good training session he will get minutes.
“If he starts, or starts and maybe starts in the second half, that's something we'll have to decide.”
Diogo Jota will not start the match after missing training yesterday, but Slot hinted that Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo will play.
Liverpool's progress is “normal”
Liverpool enter the match having had their lead at the top of the Premier League reduced to two points, but they are still strong in all three competitions they are currently involved in.
Asked if he had been surprised by Liverpool's impressive start, Slott said: “I think it's normal for Liverpool to fight for every title and to last a long time in every cup until the end.
“This happened last season when this club won the (English League Cup) competition. So I am not surprised at the quality we have as at the moment we are competing for these three trophies, and the fourth (the FA Cup) will start in January.
“It's a challenge because we have a lot of great competition here in other teams as well. In the League Cup, if you look at the other teams that are still in the tournament, none of the participating teams will have an easy path to reach the final.
Slott sympathizes with Martin
Liverpool face a Southampton side still reeling from the sacking of manager Russell Martin on Sunday, shortly after a 5-0 defeat at home to Tottenham.
Slott expressed his sympathy for former Scotland international and Wolves boss Gary O'Neill who was also sacked at the weekend, but it is acceptable results that ultimately determine the manager's fate.
He said: In my opinion it is unfortunate. These things happen. Russell Martin performed well last season for Southampton. This season (his team) played good football again. We went through this when we had a tough day there. We only beat them 3-2.
“So you always feel sorry if managers don't get the chance to continue. Especially in those two situations because for me they were managers who had a good idea of how they wanted to play with their team. Unfortunately, they couldn't get enough points, and then they get sacked.” Trainers.
