“He Looked”: Sky Sports Pundit Offers Honest Federico Chiesa Verdict After His PL Debut for Liverpool
Liverpool can be pleased with their 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield. The team faced some pressure to avoid going two consecutive home games without a win.
After a solid midweek win against AC Milan, Liverpool bounced back from their previous defeat to Nottingham Forest by convincingly beating Bournemouth.
There were several standout performances for the Reds. Darwin Nunez netted a stunning goal, while Luis Diaz contributed two more. Additionally, Caoimhin Kelleher performed admirably in goal, filling in for the injured Alisson Becker.
Another noteworthy moment came as Federico Chiesa made his Premier League debut for Liverpool.
Chiesa replaced Nunez in the 71st minute and quickly tried a daring volley. After watching the Italian in action for about 20 minutes, pundit Kris Boyd offered his honest thoughts.
Federico Chiesa Given Anfield Assessment
There wasn’t much for Chiesa to demonstrate during this match. By the time he entered the game, Liverpool had already secured both the victory and the points.
Bournemouth made efforts to at least score a goal, but the Reds seemed more interested in maintaining control of the game rather than chasing additional goals.
Although this may not have aligned with Chiesa’s style, he still provided glimpses of his potential at Anfield.
In addition to a solid dipping attempt that went directly to Kepa Arrizabalaga, the 26-year-old nearly found the back of the net with a shot that hit the post. However, he was later flagged for offside.
Overall, it was a respectable showing for Chiesa, especially considering that he’s still working to regain full match fitness.
During an appearance on Sky Sports News (21/09/24, 5:26pm), former Scotland international Kris Boyd commented that Chiesa appeared “a little bit rusty” in his debut performance at Anfield.
“He [Chiesa] needs games. He looked a little bit rusty,” Boyd asserted after full-time.
Will Federico Chiesa Play Against West Ham?
It is evident that Chiesa is not yet in peak condition. The Italy international did not participate in pre-season training after being sidelined at Juventus.
With the level of competition for a spot in Liverpool’s squad, there is no immediate pressure to push him onto the field before he is fully prepared.
However, Liverpool’s busy schedule means they would benefit from having Chiesa back to full fitness as soon as possible.
As the Reds take a short break from Premier League matches this midweek, Chiesa could use this time to work toward match fitness. A potential opportunity may arise for him in the Carabao Cup clash against West Ham.
That said, a starting position may still be a bit too soon for Chiesa. A more realistic target could be the game against Bologna in 11 days, where he might make his first appearance in the lineup.
In other Liverpool news, “Necessary” Liverpool Change Explained After Bournemouth Win as Andy Robertson Singles Out Teammate for Praise
