Arne Slot makes huge first-team call ahead of AC Milan fixture

Federico Chiesa is part of Liverpool’s 23-man squad for Tuesday’s Champions League opener, as the Reds aim to bounce back from their surprising Premier League defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool return to the Champions League after a season's absence and kick off the revamped group stage with a clash against old rivals AC Milan, the team they famously faced in the 2005 and 2007 finals.

Slot's side trained at the AXA Training Centre on Monday before flying to Italy for the showdown at the iconic San Siro – only their second game against Milan at this venue.

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Chiesa's impressive Milan record

Chiesa, Liverpool's only senior signing of the summer, is still waiting to make his debut for the club. He did not feature in the squad for the match against Forest but hopes to be involved in some capacity on his return to Italy.

The 26-year-old winger’s last appearance at the San Siro came in a 3-1 victory while playing for Juventus against AC Milan, where he scored two brilliant goals for the visitors.

Since Italy’s Euro 2024 round of 16 loss to Switzerland in June, Chiesa hasn’t played a competitive minute and was in the stands again on Saturday. However, when it comes to facing AC Milan, he has more experience than most of his new Liverpool teammates.

In January 2021, during his first trip to the San Siro as a Juventus player, Chiesa delivered a match-winning performance, scoring twice in a 3-1 victory. At just 23 years old, he netted one goal with his right foot and another with his left, showcasing the talent that made him one of the most highly sought-after wingers in Europe.

Chiesa also enjoyed a string of successful outings against Milan with Fiorentina, registering three assists and scoring two goals in four appearances at the San Siro. Although a serious knee injury sidelined him for much of Juventus' visits to Milan in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, and he only managed a 12-minute cameo last term, Chiesa has fond memories of playing against the Rossoneri.

Liverpool fans will be eager to see if Chiesa can add more memorable moments to his San Siro legacy this week, as the Italian winger looks to make his mark in his new colours.

Speaking ahead of tonight's fixture, Alisson praised the Italian's quality since he moved to Merseyside.

"I don't need to give you any introduction about Federico Chiesa, he is a wonderful player and you know him much better than I do." said the goalkeeper.

"In the past years he has proven his quality. He got injured, he had some ups and downs, lately he had some bad periods, but the way he landed in Liverpool was extremely positive to me. He arrived in our squad with a huge smile painted on his face.

"Everybody is enthusiastic about Federico and he is extremely happy having this chance to play in this squad. His quality, he shows every day. We are lucky to count on him. He is a top level player who can help our team."

Slot on Chiesa's quality

Arne Slot said while he doesn't expect Chiesa to start, there is a possibility that the Italian could make his debut.

"[It's] why we brought him, I bring in quality players and I believe he is. He combines quality with work rate and the culture of this club, this team, he brings that with combinations of several positions." said Slot. "He is with the team and since I said it is the first time he is here, it would be a big surprise if he starts tomorrow.

"So I don't think you should expect him to start but he will make some minutes if we needed him. But the first time with us, I don't expect him to start with us. He's had some training time and too early to play 90 mins but hopefully some minutes in the upcoming fixtures."