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Liverpool needed Federico Chiesa to come off the bench and score a well-taken goal against Bournemouth on the opening day of the season, but since then he's only managed one start - in the League Cup against Southampton, however.
After scoring against Crystal Palace— a late equalizer that was then outdone by Eddie Nketiah — Chiesa then missed the Champions League defeat in Galatasaray through a minor knock. He didn't make it off the bench against Chelsea.
Though he has either scored or assisted every 39 minutes or so this season, it has been an up-and-down campaign. Chiesa is happier than last season and is playing a bigger role, but his long-term future and true role under Arne Slot are yet to become clear.
"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," Danny Murphy said this week.
"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 Cody Gakpo because of his performances last season and he knows that he can rely on Gakpo without the ball, but I think Gakpo has been underwhelming."
Chiesa's problem, though, has never been that he lacks quality. The Italian was once one of the leading wide forwards in world soccer, but there is a reason that Liverpool was able to snap him up for just $13 million (£10 million).
There is also a reason that most assumed, a year on from signing from Juventus in that cut-price move, that he would be heading back to Italy. There was interest from Serie A, but he ended up staying.
"Chiesa hasn’t been given that chance yet and I’d be amazed if he isn’t in the coming weeks," Murphy, speaking to Ace Odds, added.
"The levels he’s shown in his all-round game — from the goals to the physicality and determination — are something he deserves recognition for."
But while there might be some truth in that, could anyone predict with confidence that Chiesa will make five starts in all competitions between now and Christmas? Though his season to date has been a big upgrade on 2024/25, it has still been stop-start, in part due to fitness.
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If ever there was a time for Chiesa to nail down something closer to a regular starting spot in the Liverpool team, though, it would be now. The games are coming thick and fast, and he is doing well when offered the chance.
Gakpo, among others, is yet to hit form in the Liverpool attack this season, even if he scored last time out against Chelsea, and so the argument for Chiesa has never been stronger.
Even now, though, it doesn't feel likely that he will start against Manchester United when the Premier League resumes. You couldn't guarantee that he will even come off the bench.
For all that there has been promise from the 27-year-old in the last few weeks — and several big moments — the full extent of his role is still yet to become clear. As Liverpool heads into a crucial period, though, a fuller picture should begin to emerge.
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