Drinkel Calls for More Minutes for Chiesa and Elliott at Liverpool | OneFootball

Chiesa and Elliott Deserve Bigger Roles in Liverpool’s Run-In

As Liverpool fans continue to trudge through the lull of the international break, the Daily Red Podcast weekend edition provided a refreshingly candid take on two of the Reds’ most underused talents: Harvey Elliott and Fede Chiesa. Hosted solo by Guy Drinkel, the episode blended frustration, realism, and hope — all key ingredients in any meaningful Liverpool discussion right now.

Spotlight on Chiesa: Fresh Energy Among Faltering Forwards

Drinkel didn’t pull punches in his analysis of Liverpool’s misfiring attack and suggested that Chiesa should be more involved in the first-team picture. “He deserves a chance,” Drinkel said plainly, pointing to Chiesa’s energy and application during the League Cup final. “He basically gets a goal on his own working back, making the run forward. Elliott finds him obviously, but he makes it happen.”

Chiesa hasn’t had a smooth season. Injuries, competition, and inconsistency in team selection have all played their part. Yet despite the limited minutes, Drinkel believes he has shown enough desire and tactical intelligence to earn a bigger role. “He’s a player that you kind of want to see more from because he certainly looks bothered,” Drinkel argued, contrasting Chiesa’s efforts with the underwhelming output from the likes of Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota.

Liverpool’s forward line has grown stale in 2025, and the lack of spark is hurting the club’s final-third fluency. “I’m just sick of the other attackers,” Drinkel admitted. “At this stage, I’d be fine starting Chiesa… I don’t think it’ll be a big difference.”

Elliott’s Dilemma: Talent With No Tactical Home?

If Chiesa’s issue is minutes, Harvey Elliott’s challenge is one of identity. “You want to see more of him, but you just don’t see where it is,” Drinkel said, highlighting the tactical shifts under Arne Slot that have marginalised Elliott. While Klopp’s system allowed Elliott to blend creativity and tenacity, Slot’s 4-2-3-1 variation has left him without a clear role.

“He can’t really play the deeper positions… and the number 10 position is mainly [Dominik] Szoboszlai,” Drinkel observed. Even Elliott’s occasional cameos on the right have done little to cement his status. “Harvey does try… but a midfield of Harvey Elliott, Mac Allister and Gravenberch?” Hinting that trio would not work.

And yet, the flashes are undeniable. Elliott recently scored for England U21s and, as Drinkel noted, he “gets the best out of Mo [Salah] even coming off the bench.” There’s no question about the 20-year-old’s quality or commitment. The real issue is the system — and whether Slot sees a future for him in it.

Transfer Talk and Tactical Trust

Drinkel also touched on the bigger picture — and whether Chiesa and Elliott will even be part of Liverpool’s long-term plans. “It wouldn’t surprise me if a few of the attack leaves. That includes Chiesa,” he said, before cautioning against a full rebuild. “You can’t go from probably winning the league and then selling six or seven people. That’d be stupid.”

Financially, selling Elliott may make sense. But as Drinkel rightly pointed out, “Impact from the bench leads to starts. Give them opportunities.” In an uncertain summer ahead, players like Chiesa and Elliott could either be part of the revolution — or unfortunate casualties of it.