Arne Slot has expressed his confidence in Federico Chiesa’s future at Liverpool, praising the winger’s late heroics against Bournemouth. Despite rumors of a potential move away, Slot believes Chiesa has a role to play at Anfield and will be given opportunities to prove his worth.
Arne Slot has emphatically backed Federico Chiesa to remain a key figure at Liverpool, dismissing speculation linking the Italian winger with a move away from Anfield. Slot's confidence in Chiesa was buoyed by the player's late heroics in Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth, a match that saw Chiesa emerge from the bench to score a crucial go-ahead goal.
The game, played at Anfield, was a thrilling encounter that ended in a 4-2 victory for the defending champions. Liverpool initially took a commanding lead, with goals from Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo putting them two goals ahead. However, Bournemouth mounted a spirited comeback, with Antoine Semenyo netting a double to level the score and silence the home crowd.
As the game approached its final stages, with the score delicately poised, Chiesa was introduced as a substitute. His impact was immediate and decisive. In the 88th minute, Chiesa reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the box, unleashing a powerful volley that found the back of the net. The goal not only restored Liverpool's lead but also ignited the Anfield faithful, who erupted in celebration. Mohamed Salah then sealed the victory with a stoppage-time strike, ensuring Liverpool began their title defense with a hard-fought win.
Chiesa's goal was more than just a late winner; it was a historic moment. It was Liverpool's latest-ever winning goal on matchday one, with the clock showing 87 minutes and 46 seconds when his shot hit the target. This dramatic intervention underlined Chiesa's potential value to the team, despite a somewhat underwhelming start to his Liverpool career.
Since arriving at Merseyside last summer in a reported £12 million move from Juventus, Chiesa has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. He has featured in just 15 games across all competitions, starting only four of those matches. His goalscoring record has also been modest, with just three goals and one assist to his name. This lack of consistent playing time and impactful performances had led to speculation about his future at the club, with rumors suggesting a potential return to Serie A before the transfer window closes on September 1.
However, Slot's recent comments have provided a strong indication that Chiesa remains an integral part of his plans. "As long as he's here, it's definitely at Liverpool, and I have no reason to believe something is going to change," Slot stated, effectively putting an end to the transfer rumors. The Liverpool boss acknowledged that Chiesa had faced challenges in regaining his fitness last season, which had hampered his progress. He also noted that Chiesa had unfortunately missed out on the team's pre-season tour of Asia, further disrupting his preparations for the new campaign.
Despite these setbacks, Slot emphasized Chiesa's positive attitude and willingness to contribute to the team. "When we needed Federico at 2-2, we brought him in, and he delivered, and that's always positive for your future at the club," Slot remarked, highlighting the player's immediate impact against Bournemouth. He also acknowledged the strong support Chiesa has received from the Liverpool fans, who have consistently chanted his name during games. "After the fans sang for him so many times during the game and last season as well, I think it's nice for him to give something in return, and that's definitely what he did today," Slot concluded.
Slot's endorsement of Chiesa suggests that the winger will be given more opportunities to prove his worth in the upcoming season. With his pace, skill, and eye for goal, Chiesa has the potential to be a valuable asset for Liverpool. If he can stay fit and build on his match-winning performance against Bournemouth, he could yet become a key player under Slot's leadership. The Liverpool faithful will be hoping that Chiesa's late heroics are a sign of things to come, as they look to challenge for major honors once again.