6 hours ago
25
Danny Murphy says Arne Slot should give Federico Chiesa a go on the left wing when the domestic game returns because the Italian deserves another chance in the team.
Liverpool will play Manchester United next, but only after the international break. And Murphy has made the case for swapping Chiesa in for Cody Gakpo in that fixture at Anfield because he has been in good form lately.
"Based on the games I’ve watched and not the online discourse of Liverpool fans, I would like to see Chiesa given a chance on the left side," Murphy, the former Reds star, told Ace Odds.
"I actually agree with Liverpool supporters online in that sense. Whenever he’s come on, he’s looked like a goal threat and full of confidence.
"I think he’s stuck with Gakpo because of his performances last season. He knows that he can rely on Gakpo without the ball but I think Gakpo has been underwhelming.
"He looks a bit short of confidence and he’s been giving the ball away. I know he scored against Chelsea but his performance was nowhere near to the levels needed and that he’s shown last season.
"The only thing I’d say in defense of the manager is in training certain things come to the fore more than snippets will on a match day and he’s watching them train so you have to put faith in the manager.
"I do think Chiesa needs a run in the team though. If you give him a run of games and he doesn’t have the same impact, it might just be that he’s better off the bench."
Chiesa has not made the Italy squad for this week's matches because he is not 100 percent fit. He sat out last week's trip to Galatasaray in the Champions League and then didn't make it off the bench at Chelsea.
"At a lot of clubs, some players are just better off the bench," Murphy said. "When coming off the bench, players feel as though they’ve got nothing to lose and play free. I’ve done it myself.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
"You’re angry and annoyed and you play with some freedom.. When starting there’s pressure because you feel as though you’ve got to play well.
"Chiesa hasn’t been given that chance yet and I’d be amazed if he isn’t in the coming weeks. The levels he’s shown in his all-round game form the goals, to the physicality and determination is something he deserves recognition for.
"You could argue there’s definitely been a hole left by Luis Diaz. I understand why they sold him. It’s business.
"But Diaz gave Liverpool a real tenacity in the press like Sadio Mane did. He’s similar in terms of the work ethic off the ball and Chiesa has that."
English (US) ·