Anfield Watch
·25. September 2024
Anfield Watch
·25. September 2024
Liverpool's landmark summer signing Federico Chiesa made his full club debut on Wednesday night during the Reds' Carabao Cup third-round clash against West Ham United at Anfield.
Having signed from Juventus for a £12.5 million fee, the Italy international has had to bide his time in order to get minutes in the first team as he seeks to build up his fitness.
Chiesa, 26, was deemed fit enough to start by head coach Arne Slot for the game against the Hammers, although the Liverpool boss admitted that the ex-Fiorentina winger was unlikely to complete 90 minutes at this stage of his Anfield career.
He played 19 minutes from the bench in the Premier League on Saturday as the Reds routed Bournemouth, 3-0, and pushed himself into contention to play from the beginning during the midweek cup match.
With Slot ringing in the changes for the tie against Julen Lopetegui's men, Chiesa took his chance and delivered an assist on his full home debut.
In a new-look forward line alongside Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez, Chiesa played from the right-hand side and helped Liverpool back into the game after falling behind.
Wataru Endo and Jarell Quansah were involved in a mix-up inside their own area, resulting in an own goal for the homegrown Liverpool defender.
Liverpool had in truth struggled to get on top to that point but the goal was seemingly exactly what Slot's side needed to jolt them into life.
Jota created space on the left-hand side, exchanging passes with Nunez before playing the ball to Gakpo and continuing his forward run.
A cross from the Dutchman made its way to the back post, where Chiesa was stationed, and he executed a tidy scissor kick to put the ball back into the danger zone.
From there, Jota made no mistake, poaching his second goal of the season.
It was a welcome moment for the Portugal international, who was without a goal to his name since the opening-day Premier League win against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
He had ceded his place in the line-up to Darwin of late but will have given Slot plenty to think about in dove-tailing up top with the Uruguayan.
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