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When Arne Slot claimed in May that Federico Chiesa still had a future at Liverpool, few took him seriously.
Most, this writer included, suspected that his words during a Kirkby press conference after Liverpool had secured the title were tinged with insincerity. What was he supposed to say? Chiesa wasn’t quite up to the required standards and would likely move on.
But Slot was steadfast. Despite the Italian’s dismal first season on Merseyside, there was a way back for him, said the Liverpool head coach. “Is he good enough to play for us? Yes, he is, but I have always felt the others deserved the confidence I had in them.”
Slot explained that Chiesa had arrived in late August 2024 lacking fitness, then picked up an injury and was simply unable to displace the reliable Liverpool forwards who had set about reclaiming the Premier League title for the Reds.
Had we known then that tragically Liverpool would not start the new season with Diogo Jota and that it would cash in on serious offers for Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, perhaps Slot’s remarks would have held greater credence.
Now there is a genuine belief that after his nightmare first year at Liverpool, Chiesa could provide a real impact in the second. After all, he has played four of the Reds’ five league matches this term - it took until April to reach that total last season.
His crucial goal against Bournemouth was more significant than any contribution last campaign, while the midweek display in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton was undoubtedly his best yet in red.
Chiesa provided two assists, had four shots, created four chances, had the most touches in the opposition box, and was also relentless in his pressing.
“For me, it is completely not a coincidence that Federico picked the ball and assisted on the first [goal] because he was the one, in my opinion, that was most involved in the game, tried the most, worked the hardest,” said Slot in his post-match assessment.
“That’s also the way to get yourself either back in the team or get as much playing minutes as you want.”
Even Chiesa acknowledges something is different this time around, that he is more equipped to help the team.
“I feel much better in terms of physical ability, and I think I have played more this year than last year combined,” said Liverpool’s No. 14 after his player-of-the-match display on Tuesday.
"[Last season] was really difficult. I don’t think I was at the level the coach wanted me to play, but I understood his choices. This year, it is different. I feel better physically and mentally. The coach has seen this and given me more opportunities.”
The inescapable reality last season was that Chiesa simply wasn’t ready for that level. Yet there were bright moments, most notably the displays against PSV Eindhoven and Accrington Stanley in the cup competitions, plus his Carabao Cup final goal in March.
Unfortunately, they too often preceded underwhelming follow-up performances. His ineffective display at Plymouth still draws grimaces from supporters, while Chiesa's only start of the Premier League season - against Brighton & Hove Albion - lacked any sort of potency or attacking threat.
That's why most felt that a summer departure was in everyone’s best interests. Even with the high-profile sales, that remained a possibility up until the final weeks of the window.
Yet Chiesa remained. Liverpool didn’t push to find a buyer or loan move.
Many would struggle to continue after such a scarring introduction to the Premier League, yet Chiesa has a remarkable ability to brush off setbacks and emerge through galling experiences with an infectious smile on his face.
The fans immediately took to him. Now Slot has too.
But the real test will come when Chiesa is called upon for a significant league or European match - he could be in line for a squad recall in the latter given Giovanni Leoni’s injury.
A first chance to shine may even come on Saturday with Hugo Ekitike suspended and Alexander Isak unlikely to play the full 90 minutes against Crystal Palace. Should Chiesa demonstrate the sort of timidity that was a hallmark of last season’s performances, then his progression will feel short-lived.
Instead, another industrious performance featuring a repeat of his offensive contributions, and there could be genuine discussions about a possible starting berth.
For Liverpool and Slot, too, there’s a need for Chiesa to perform and justify the decision to sell Diaz and Nunez in the summer. As the weeks go on, that gamble is feeling increasingly like yet another masterstroke.
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