Federico Chiesa's latest Liverpool ABSENCE forges path to transfer

Federico Chiesa is once again absent from a Liverpool squad for a Premier League outing. The Italian has made little to no impact since joining the Reds last summer.

When Chiesa joined Liverpool, he was billed as a backup to Mohamed Salah, someone who could come into the lineup when the Egyptian needed a rest and challenge across the front three for the other positions.

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Instead, Chiesa has been basically absent from the Liverpool squad for his entire time at Anfield.

He joined with an injury issue that has meant his acclimatisation to English football has taken longer than expected. Arne Slot has spoken in the past about how he has to adapt to the fact that the Premier League is much more intense than Serie A, where Chiesa has spent his whole career to date.

The Italian was back in a Liverpool lineup for the recent Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton, but failed to make a big mark on proceedings after coming on at half-time.

He even made the bench against Leicester City on Boxing Day, but today has been left out in favour of Jayden Danns.

Chiesa's move back to Italy could be imminent

Journalist David Lynch has speculated on X that Chiesa’s exclusion is again down to fitness, saying that the fact that Diogo Jota is on the bench shows Slot is setting a high bar for those who can start.

But this doesn’t quite add up, especially when you consider that Danns, Chiesa’s replacement on the bench, has also been out with an injury.

It may just be the case that Chiesa is not as good as Danns in the eyes of Liverpool’s management.

Or it could mean that the most recent rumours of a Chiesa move away from Anfield are closer to the truth than not. Napoli have reportedly spoken to his agent about a loan move in January, and a meeting has been set between him and Liverpool for the coming days.

If Chiesa is to leave in January, the decision to exclude him here would mean he is not at risk of any further injury if a bid does come in.

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