Arne Slot shares his thoughts on Federico Chiesa’s role at Liverpool | OneFootball

Arne Slot responds to calls for Federico Chiesa to start

Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland reopened debate around Arne Slot’s handling of Federico Chiesa, a player who continues to make an impact in small bursts without breaking into the Premier League starting lineup. The Italian’s latest contribution did not come via a goal or assist. Instead it was a lung bursting recovery run and a decisive intervention that preserved a point, blocking Wilson Isidor’s strike with Alisson already beaten.

Supporters immediately questioned whether such commitment should translate into a starting place. Yet Slot once again maintained a broad view of squad rotation when pressed on Chiesa’s prospects.

“Every player has a possibility to start,” he claimed. “But we have many options to start in his position as I said so many times before.

“But he is indeed having his impact coming off the bench a few times.

“Normally you bring a striker in to score a goal, but he in this situation kept on running in a moment where a player could also feel ‘hmm, I don’t think I can do a lot anymore, because he’s going to go one vs. one’.

“So it tells you also the mentality he has not to concede, and that’s a good thing because that’s what not only defenders should have, that’s also what attackers should have.”

Chiesa’s Mindset and Adaptation

Since arriving from Juventus for £12.5 million, Chiesa has battled fitness setbacks and fierce competition in Liverpool’s forward line. His attitude has rarely been questioned and his chase back against Sunderland captured that perfectly. It was a moment that reflected resilience, professionalism and a willingness to influence matches in ways beyond goals.

His adaptation across competitions has been steady. In 29 games he has provided four goals and five assists, delivering a goal involvement every 94.4 minutes. That output, set against limited minutes, has only sharpened discussion about why he remains a rotational option.

Selection Puzzle Around Liverpool’s Attack

Liverpool’s attacking landscape is shifting. Mohamed Salah has been benched twice consecutively, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike have struggled to find rhythm and Slot admitted Cody Gakpo “struggled” against Sunderland. In that context, hesitation around starting Chiesa feels increasingly surprising.

Slot’s approach appears rooted in maintaining structural balance rather than reacting to moments, even influential ones. His Premier League and Champions League selections remain tightly managed, with Chiesa instead trusted as a player who can change matches from the bench.

Chiesa’s Limited Starts Under Slot

Chiesa’s starting opportunities underline the discussion. He has begun only twice this season, both in the Carabao Cup, and has come on 13 times across league and Europe. Since joining Liverpool he has been named in 50 matchday squads but started only six matches, spanning the Carabao Cup, Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Those numbers paint a picture of a high value squad player rather than a central figure, although his efficiency suggests there is room for a larger role. With Liverpool seeking consistency in attack, the question of whether Slot will eventually unleash Chiesa from the start continues to grow louder.