"It hasn't gone through my mind at all" - Liverpool coach Arne Slot shuts down 27-year-old star's exit rumors
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has provided an update about Federico Chiesa, whom the club signed in the summer transfer window. The 27-year-old Italian has been out with an injury since he first starred for the club in an EFL Cup game against West Ham United back in September.
There were reports about Chiesa wishing to be back to Italy on loan, but Slot vehemently shut down such rumors. The Dutchman mentioned that the thought had not even crossed his mind. He felt that since Chiesa missed preseason with Liverpool (he was still with Juventus), he has taken some time to adjust.
Ahead of the Reds' Carabao Cup Round-of-16 showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, October 30, Slot addressed the media.
"It hasn't gone through my mind at all. First is to get him fit. He missed pre-season and in pre-season, he was in low intensity sessions as he was only training with three or four players," said Slot, as per Liverpool Echo.
"To go to a high intensity league is difficult for every player. It hasn't been perfect yet so we are trying to find the right way to build him up and I'm fully confident that will happen," he added.
The 2020 European Championships winner with Italy is suffering from a muscle injury and is expected to come back by early November. The attacker can play in a wide range of roles in Liverpool's forward line, be it on the wings or as a centre-forward. Chiesa has also flourished playing as the false number nine at times.
Liverpool face Brighton and Hove Albion twice in the upcoming week
The Reds are set to face Brighton and Hove Albion twice in the upcoming week. They will first travel to the Amex Stadium to take on the Seagulls in the Carabao Cup on October 30. The Reds will then host them at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday, November 2.
They are ranked in the second position of the Premier League table at the time of writing, with 22 points to their name from nine games. A 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend saw them drop off from the pole position and hand it to their immediate rivals Manchester City. Arne Slot will be keen on reclaiming the top spot in the upcoming clash.