Slot sees ‘good thing’ from Chiesa as Italy winger stops Sunderland’s late winner | OneFootball

Federico Chiesa made a vital goal-line clearance to stop a late Sunderland winner last night and received praise from Arne Slot: ‘He could have thought it’s nothing for me to do anymore.’

Italy international Chiesa helped Liverpool avoid a home defeat against Sunderland on Wednesday as the Italy international prevented the away team from scoring a late winner on the counter.

The former Juventus and Fiorentina star ran the entire half of the pitch to avoid Sunderland’s goal, allowing the Reds to secure one point at Anfield.

What Slot said about Chiesa’s clearance vs. Sunderland

“The good thing from Fede was that he could have thought, ‘Ah, it’s nothing for me to do anymore, I’m so far away from the situation’,” Slot said at a post-match press conference via Liverpool’s official website.

“But he kept sprinting and Ali [Alisson Becker] moved him to the outside, and as a result of that Fede could clear the ball off the line, which was I think the minimum we deserved tonight and the minimum his effort deserved as well. I mean with that, that the draw was the minimum we deserved tonight.”

Chiesa had only been introduced at minute 86 to replace Alexander Isak.

Will Chiesa play for Italy in 2026?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on September 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Chiesa has scored two goals and provided three assists in 15 appearances across all competitions this season.

The 28-year-old has not played for the Italy national team since June 2024, but Gennaro Gattuso and his assistant Leonardo Bonucci have reiterated that the national team’s door for Chiesa will remain open in 2026.