Arne Slot confirms he’s fixed Liverpool mistake in press conference as crushing news delivered
Arne Slot has not gotten much wrong in his time as Liverpool boss.
Liverpool won the Premier League in his first season in charge, and have a 100 per cent record so far in his second campaign.
Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace looking to continue that record, after dispatching Southampton in Carabao Cup action in midweek.
However, a controversial squad selection decision did have eyebrows raised for many Anfield observers.
Liverpool suffer crushing blow but Arne Slot fixes issue
Federico Chiesa was left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad originally, but he has been handed a reprieve.
His fellow Italian, Giovanni Leoni, went off against Southampton with a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Slot confirmed that his place in that squad will go to Chiesa, as he gave an update.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on 26 September, Slot said: “No, it’s not good. He tore his ACL, and he’s going to be out for up to a year. It is a terrible injury.”
Asked whether Chiesa would replace Leoni, he said: “We have looked into this process [of Champions League squad], some people do this. If I am informed correctly, if a player is out for 2 months or more, can replace him. So we’re looking into it.”
Federico Chiesa deserves Champions League spot
Chiesa struggled last season, as he tried to work his way back to fitness and he was expected to depart in the summer.
However, the ex-Juventus man remained on Merseyside and has thrived in the opening few weeks of the season.
- Chiesa featured just 14 times last season for a total of 466 minutes in a miserable campaign
- He had interest from the likes of Napoli and AC Milan in the transfer window
- One goal and two assists in five matches so far this season
He scored the go-ahead goal in the opening day league win over Bournemouth, before Mohamed Salah wrapped up a 4-2 win.
He also impressed in the cup clash with the Saints, with an assist for both Alexander Isak’s opener and Hugo Ekitike’s winning goal.
There is a sense that he could return to the form that made the Reds splash out £12.5million on his services, and he can definitely be a useful option for Slot.
It is brilliant that he has been added to the European squad, but it is a gutting blow that Leoni is out for such a long time.
It is a shame that such an injury has to occur for Chiesa to get his chance, but he deserves it and it could prove vital for the Reds.
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