After playing just a couple of minutes at the San Siro against AC Milan last week, Federico Chiesa finally got to realise his dream of playing at Anfield in a 20-minute cameo against Bournemouth yesterday.
On the face of it, Chisea’s last-minute move to the Reds at the end of the summer window seemed one of desperation and panic, but low and behold we were about to finally understand how one of Richard Hughes’ ‘opportunistic’ transfer moves would work.
The 26-year-old Italian had a tumultuous time at Juventus before making the £10.1million to Liverpool, constantly battling with injuries whilst still producing impressive numbers in front of goal.
But once he fell out of favour with new boss Thiago Motta, and contract negotiations stalled as he entered his last year, Liverpool’s approach could not have come at a better time.
Now at the club he always dreamed of playing for, Chiesa is now one step closer to following in his dad’s footsteps by scoring at Anfield, which Enrico Chiesa managed to do in Euro 96 for the Italian national team.
Making the most of his opportunity on Merseyside
When Liverpool approached the winger, his dad could not have been more on board with the move, claiming “it’s the best choice for your career”.
Once all the documents were sealed, the club’s media team showed him a video of his dad’s famous goal and his eyes lit up at the prospect of actually playing at Anfield.
Yesterday, his dream came true.
In a 20-minute cameo from the substitution bench, his first touch was a shot on goal from distance and despite later proving to be offside, his best effort crashed into the post.
In his post-match interview, he said: “I was very, very happy to make my debut in Milan and today I just had to be ready.
“When the coach told me to get in the game I was so happy and so relieved because I wanted to play here at Anfield.”
A new forward option for Slot after a successful training period?
Now with a few weeks of training under his belt, and developing his fitness, Chiesa is itching to play more minutes and make a positive impact on the team.
Ahead of West Ham’s upcoming visit to Anfield on Wednesday, he added: “Yes I am [hoping to get more minutes]. I’m training harder and faster, I’m training to be ready to play, but this depends on the coach and when he wants me to play and put me in.”
“I just have to be ready and play.”
Whilst Chiesa’s enthusiasm is infectious, his quality is available for all to see and despite each of Liverpool’s forwards having a positive start to the season, he will be yearning for his opportunity to make his mark.
Capable of playing across the forward line and while currently seeming to have beaten his injury demons, Chiesa offers a fresh option in Liverpool’s stacked squad for Slot to tinker with.
