Opinion: Liverpool May Have Instant Federico Chiesa Problem Because of Former Manager
Former manager Jurgen Klopp is said to have sparked Liverpool’s interest in Federico Chiesa, which could create a challenge for new manager Arne Slot as he works to integrate his attacking players into the squad.
Liverpool secured the Italian forward in a bargain deal worth £12 million from Juventus. Chiesa was deemed unnecessary in Italy, with just a year left on his contract.
Liverpool’s pursuit of the 26-year-old has been a long-standing ambition. The Premier League club first showed interest in the Italian international following his standout performances during Euro 2020, where he was an integral part of Italy’s victorious team.
Reports from the Italian outlet Calciomercato suggest that Liverpool’s initial interest in signing the forward was driven by Klopp’s enthusiasm.
At that time, Liverpool were quoted a price of £100 million for the player. However, the club decided against pursuing the transfer, believing that there were better value options available in the market.
This summer, with Chiesa’s asking price significantly reduced, Liverpool swiftly moved to secure the signing of Klopp’s former target, even though the German manager has since been replaced by Slot.
However, Klopp’s initial desire to bring Chiesa to Anfield could have ramifications for Liverpool’s new manager. Chiesa’s representatives might still expect him to play the prominent role that Klopp might have envisioned for him.
Nevertheless, Slot may have a different perspective, possibly not considering Chiesa as crucial as his predecessor did. The former Fiorentina star will face stiff competition for a spot in Liverpool’s attacking trio.
With Mohamed Salah almost guaranteed to start most matches and Luis Diaz enjoying a strong start to the season, Diogo Jota seems to be Slot’s preferred choice as the focal point in the attack.
Furthermore, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo are already battling for game time, and Chiesa’s addition to the squad makes him the sixth option in Liverpool’s attacking lineup.
As a result, it is likely that Chiesa will begin his Anfield career towards the bottom of the pecking order.
Slot, who has had a promising start at Liverpool, appears to have established a core group of starters. He made just one change between the wins over Ipswich and Brentford, swapping Jarell Quansah for Ibrahima Konate.
Liverpool may still make a move in the transfer market before tonight’s deadline. They have identified center-back and defensive midfield as positions that need strengthening. However, it’s doubtful that any new signings will have an immediate impact.
In other Liverpool news, “The First Thing to Say…”: Arne Slot Reacts to First Champions League Draw
