Liverpool FC News: Arne Slot confirms unsung hero is finally READY to join | OneFootball

Liverpool work off a meritocracy style of decision making in their squad. Whether it's potential or impact in terms of tangible metrics, players have to show that they've earned their opportunities.

Everyone delivers in training, which is why Arne Slot often has a lot of decisions to make prior to a match day, but with such great competition comes a ruthlessness in his selection policy. If you don't deliver when called upon, then you're out and player's reputations will only carry them so far.

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In spite of winning seven of their eight games in all competitions this season, Liverpool haven't really managed to deliver an all-round performance that convinces you that everything's fallen into place.

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Slot has decided to utilise his preferred players in his transition period, while the new signings try to make themselves at home. Following that call, some of the out-of-favour players are having to work twice as hard to prove themselves. One unsung hero might now have a chance to break through.

Player makes irrefutable case to Slot

In the Reds's frustrating contest against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, a late draw was secured by Federico Chiesa scoring an equaliser in the 87th minute, only for an even later goal to be conceded in the 97th minute, allowing the Eagles to give Liverpool a taste of their own medicine.

Late winners have become an integral part in Slot's team this season. For whatever reason, there is an inability to wrap up the game prior to the 80th minute. As such, the result is constantly at risk.

A lot of the reaction to the loss has been over the top - especially since the Reds are going to remain at the top of the Premier League this weekend, with at least a two-point cushion. It's only one loss.

However, it did feel as though the result fairly reflected Liverpool's performance. While six big chances were created, seven were conceded to the Eagles. You're inevitably going to concede a second if your goal is being pummelled with 2.92xg of opportunities. Palace deserved their win.

And what makes things worse, is that Chiesa was only on the pitch because of an incident that happened last week, which was out of his control. The Italian is out of favour with Slot right now.

In the 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup, the winger created both goals and Hugo Ekitike's goal was celebrated with the Frenchman getting sent off after a receiving a second yellow.

As such, Liverpool needed Chiesa to come into the fold for the fixture at Selhurst Park because the squad was a player down. Two assists is impressive form to have shown in your last appearance.

He deserved his place in the team and getting us back into the game with his goal was massive. But there is one lingering concern that we have to address. Would he have played if Ekitike was available?

Across the season so far, the Italian has four goal contributions in 153 minutes. That level of impact is really hard to ignore. And yet, it feels as though he's reluctantly getting this much time on the pitch.

In his post-match press conference, Slot said: "If he didn't do as well as he did [against Southampton] we would probably not looked at him as if he gets more playing time. But he did so well that it normally leads to a bit more playing time if you can keep producing in training sessions and in the moments we bring him in."

Having been previously missed out of the Champions League squad - only since being added now that Giovanni Leoni has torn his ACL - the Italian feels awakened to making an irrefutable case to be playing more regularly than he currently is. Whether he's given such opportunities in future is still in doubt, but Liverpool's unsung hero has a point to prove this season. You can't ignore him forever.