Federico Chiesa issues telling response to Liverpool snub - 'I can play more'

Federico Chiesa's move to Liverpool last year has been marked by broad smiles, but there was even more reason for his joy on Tuesday evening. Since joining from Juventus in late August last year in a deal worth up to £12m, life at Liverpool hasn't exactly matched the brochure.

His debut season was marred by fitness issues and struggles adjusting to the unique intensity of Premier League football. As a result, the Italian only made one start, at Brighton in early May after the title had already been secured.

This season, he's nearly matched his total of six Premier League appearances from last season, with four appearances off the bench. This includes a dramatic 88th-minute intervention against Bournemouth on the opening night back in mid-August, when he expertly volleyed home to make it 3-2.

However, if Chiesa is to have a long-term future at Anfield, the Carabao Cup will likely be his lifeline. Due to a technicality over a lack of home-grown players, he was excluded from the initial 23-man Champions League squad - meaning Arne Slot had to choose teenager Rio Ngumoha over his more experienced colleague.

At 27 years old, he also has to impress his coach with Mohamed Salah ahead of him in the pecking order, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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And with the FA Cup not on the calendar until January, the forward has little choice but to seize the opportunities presented to him in the League Cup with both hands.

Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike both provided assists in Tuesday night's 2-1 victory over Southampton, a perfect response to the challenge set before them.

"I can play more in this competition but I want to show the manager I can play more in the Premier League," Chiesa says.

"The coach gave me chances in the first four games and I think I demonstrated that I can contribute to the team. I'm not in the Champions League squad but I am focused on the Carabao Cup."

An opportunity to participate in the European Cup may yet come his way following an injury to his young compatriot Giovanni Leoni, who was stretchered off late on after an impressive debut. For now, however, Chiesa is aiming to make his mark when domestic opportunities arise.

"I do feel much better in terms of physical ability and I think I have played more this year than last year combined," he shares. "I'm content and I need to continue on this trajectory.

"It was really challenging [being on the fringes] but I don't think I was at the level the coach wanted me to play. But I understood his decisions. This year, it is different. I feel better physically and mentally. The coach has recognised this and given me more opportunities.

"I'm pleased that I have made some contributions in the Premier League. That is what Liverpool expect from every player who plays for them. It is what the coach wants. All the other players want it.

"If you play for Liverpool, you have to be able to make a difference. I'm very happy for the moment and I have to keep working hard to get more chances in the future."

Chiesa has unwittingly become the centre of a heated debate amongst the Reds faithful recently.

The Italian's catchy terrace anthem, set to Dean Martin's Sway, is one of the most inventive in years, but his goal against Bournemouth led to fierce discussion online over whether the line 'f***off Juve, I'm a Kopite now' is needlessly derogatory and combative to a club with whom Liverpool share tragic history with, relating to the Heysel disaster of 1985.

It's unlikely the man himself has been fully immersed in the historical nuances of the supporters' debate but he sees no issue with the song, preferring to view it in good faith.

He explains: "Since last year I had been feeling that – I needed to give them something back. These first few appearances this year, I have given them something but I want to keep on doing it.

"The support they have given to me in every match is fantastic. I like the chant! There is nothing wrong with it. But I have to give them more. The support is just amazing."

For Chiesa to maintain his contribution, he must now rise to the occasion without Ekitike, who faces suspension for Saturday's clash at Crystal Palace following his red card against Southampton for removing his shirt whilst already booked. The versatile forward sees the trip to Selhurst Park as another opportunity to demonstrate his abilities to Slot.

He stated: "I play for a top club. This is maybe one of the top three in the world. It's Liverpool – of course they are going to buy top players; of course, the competition is high. If I don't want competition, I go to another team.

"But I want the competition, I want to play here and I think, at the end of the day, competition helps you to become a better player."

Depending on the severity of Leoni's injury, Chiesa may be recalled to the Champions League squad. He revealed how he reacted to the news from Slot, saying: "He told me what he was thinking, why he chose to do what he did.

"Of course I was sorry that I am not part of the Champions League squad, as to play in it is every player's dream. I just said to the coach: 'OK, no problem. I will keep working hard and I will get my chances in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League'.

"I am a professional player, I play for Liverpool and to do that is amazing."

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