3 weeks ago
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot has dismissed concerns over Federico Chiesa’s injury record, but says he is unlikely to make his debut for the club this weekend against Manchester United.
The Italy international has signed in at Anfield this week, arriving in a bargain deal from Juventus worth just £10m, plus £2.5m in add-ons.
The 26-year-old has 51 caps for his country and was one of the stars as Italy won Euro 2020, beating England in the final at Wembley.
However, his club career has been somewhat hampered by fitness concerns, chiefly the serious ACL injury he suffered in January 2022, keeping him out for most of the year.
The forward has suffered less serious problems since and made 37 appearances for Juve in all competitions last season, scoring 10 goals.
Slot is not concerned by Chiesa’s injury record, but says even if he does have fitness issues then he has a number of players who can fill in on the wing.
‘Wouldn’t be the first time that English media over-exaggerated,’ Slot laughed over Chiesa’s injury record. ‘I think it’s true he had a long-term injury with his ACL.
‘For the rest I think they were minor injuries like every other player. We have a lot of trust in our performance staff.
‘The good thing is he’s not the only winger we have. If he’s not available at certain moments, not only him but the others, there’s still enough players for me to choose.’
Liverpool go to Old Trafford on Sunday to take on Manchester United and although Chiesa is not injured, he has not had much of a pre-season so Slot is not planning to have him in the squad.
‘He’s going to train with us today,’ Slot said on Friday. ‘It’s a bigger chance that he’s not in the squad for Sunday than he is.
‘But injuries might come up in the next two days and we might need him. I don’t expect him to be in but I cannot guarantee this.’
On the arrival of the talented forward, Slot said: ‘Excited. If we sign someone that can help us and improve the squad, if we find someone, of course you’re really excited that you brought him in.
‘One of the best things about working here that I’ve noticed is the culture of this team. They work really hard to achieve their goals and I think it’s really important that the first player you bring in has the same attitude and the same culture.
‘He works really hard on and off the pitch to try to get the best out of him. He combines this with scoring goals and really aggressive without the ball. He can play in so many positions, on the right, on the left and maybe in the middle.
‘Although we should take care of him in the beginning. He didn’t train the last two weeks, but before he did. Hasn’t played many game minutes yet but we have a very good performance staff, we will build him up in the right way and hopefully we will see his quality in the near future.’
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