Liverpool coach gives 'UNBELIEVABLE' Federico Chiesa verdict after U21 training session

© IMAGO

Liverpool's Under-21s coach Barry Lewtas has given his verdict about Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha after seeing them train for the first time. 

Lewtas's young squad took part in a training session at the AXA training centre which saw Chiesa participate, with the majority of Arne Slot’s senior players currently being away on international duty.

But there was still enough strength and talent on the pitch to put the fresh faces through their paces, in a rigorous workout led by another recent addition to the staff, Aaron Briggs.

The former Wolfsburg, Monaco and Manchester City coach has been brought in to help first-team players with their individual development.

Read more: Anfield Watch spotted three interesting things in Federico Chiesa's training

Federico Chiesa, the 26-year-old snapped up from Juventus in the final days of the summer transfer window, was joined in the session by exciting 16-year-old prospect Rio Ngumoha.

The teenager completed his move to Merseyside from Chelsea’s academy earlier this week, with Stamford Bridge legend John Terry predicting “this boy is, and will be, a top player.”

Lewtas told Liverpoolfc.com: “It's a nice introduction for Rio. It's a chance for him to get to know the Under-21 players and an opportunity to train with the first-team staff as well.

"Getting to know people as soon as you come to a new club really helps you settle in.”

CHIESA STARS IN TRAINING VIDEO

© IMAGO - UEFA European Football Championship - UEFA EURO, EM, Europameisterschaft,Fussball 2024 - Spain vs Italy Federico Chiesa of Italy during UEFA Euro 2024 - Spain vs Italy, UEFA European Football Championship in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, June 20 2024 Gelsenkirchen Germany PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxUK Copyright: xIPAxSport/ABACAx

Euro 2020 winner Chiesa, is of course, significantly more experienced than Ngumoha, but he can also only benefit from this acclimatisation period.

It will be intriguing to see how the Italian fares when Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and co return to Kirkby, but the midfielder certainly powers his way past a few Under-21 defenders and smashes in some clinical finishes in the video now showing on the official site.

The footage concludes with Chiesa showing his humble nature, as he graciously shakes hands with his younger opponents at the end of a fast-paced and competitive training game.

FULL OF PRAISE FOR FEDERICO

Lewtas was full of praise for the Italian and highlighted his professionalism in the training session.

"We've been coming round here for a while and the first-team players, their level of professionalism is unbelievable, it really is.

"Obviously you can see from the quality of his career so far, this is why he's at one of the best clubs in the world. His professionalism and his quality was really good.

"It obviously just gives our boys a little bit of a chance to play against someone of that quality [and] it's a really good learning opportunity for them.

“With Federico, we've done this a number of times now, bringing [Under-21] boys round,” said Lewtas, explaining the mix of personnel in the session.

“It gives him a chance to build his fitness and get him ready for the season as well.”

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