For me he’s the most likable player since Kuyt. Really hope he gets a start soon. He really deserves it with his efforts on the pitch, never mind his attitude
The Italian stallion
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I bet Mo also deleted any connection to Fede.
God forbid not everything is a about Mr Salah.
It’s horrible, but I’ve never disliked a player that had such a top record for our club as much as Salah. Even from the Firmino, Salah, Mane days. He’s such a selfish cunt.
Which hurts more, missing an open goal or hearing Salah call for the ball?
Federico: since Chiesa means ‘church,’ does it feel poetic or tragic that you spend every Sunday watching others pray for your minutes?
Federico Chiesa on why ‘silent’ Liverpool dressing room is a good sign
Speaking before Crystal Palace’s visit in Carabao Cup, Italian suggests the unusual quiet is simply an indicator of players’ collective resolve to end slump
www.thetimes.com
The sense of shock at suffering a fourth straight defeat in the Premier League pursued Liverpool all the way back into the away dressing room at the Gtech Community Stadium.
In the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s ugly defeat by Brentford, one that heightened the sense of dysfunction gripping the champions, there was no rabble-rousing. No finger-pointing or angry recrimination, either. All that Arne Slot’s squad offered, as Federico Chiesa confirmed, was silence.
“No one was speaking,” he said. “Because, afterwards, everyone knows. Sometimes you don’t have to speak about the situation. You know what’s going on.
“So no one spoke because we have to think about what we can do better and, usually, when we are in this situation the first thing that comes to your mind is to give more, train harder. It was good that after the game we didn’t talk, because it’s a sign that everyone wants to change.”
The first opportunity to do so comes on Wednesday night at Anfield in the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie with Crystal Palace, an opponent Liverpool have found troublesome when in the best of health — let alone when they are a team struggling for cohesion and confidence.
Slot’s side were beaten on penalties by Palace after a 2-2 draw in August’s Community Shield, then lost again to Oliver Glasner’s team at Selhurst Park a month ago, when good fortune deserted the visiting side and a last-gasp 2-1 defeat ended a run of seven straight victories across three competitions.
Palace would certainly not be the rival Slot would have picked to arrest a worrying tailspin, even allowing for the fact that the visitors to Anfield are also without a win in four matches.
Liverpool were five points clear at the top of the Premier League when the draw for the fourth round was made and, back then, there would have been no hullabaloo about the prospect of making wholesale changes.
In many respects, Slot’s hands are tied. Alexander Isak, Ryan Gravenberch, Alisson, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni all missed the Brentford loss, while Curtis Jones came off injured. Three youngsters, Jayden Danns, Stefan Bajcetic and Will Wright, have also been unavailable.
The Palace academy graduate Freddie Woodman, who joined Liverpool after leaving Preston North End in the summer, is set to make his debut in goal. He was also a Palace ballboy and mascot, and his father, Andy, is the manager of Bromley.
Kieran Morrison, 18, a right-sided midfielder who was involved in all five goals when Liverpool beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5-4 in the Uefa Youth League last week, is among the rookies who could feature in the squad. The right back Calvin Ramsay, whose most recent senior appearance came in a Carabao Cup tie with Derby County in November 2022, is another who could come into contention, along with 19-year-old centre back Wellity Lucky, who has been training with the first team.
The teamsheet will give the clearest indication as to whether Slot views the competition as more of a priority now in light of recent form or even simply a platform to try to coax some of his stars, such as Alexis Mac Allister, into better form.
One thing is certain: Liverpool know what is coming. Palace’s use of long throw-ins led to their winner when the teams last met and there is no reason for them to shy away from employing such a tactic again — especially as Slot has spoken openly about the issues long balls and set plays have caused his players.
At least Chiesa, a Euro 2020 winner when Italy beat England in the final, seemed more confident about coping with the aerial bombardment.
“We have players that are world class and that can be put in any situation and will perform,” he said. “So I don’t see any problem. If Crystal Palace wants to play long balls and long throw-ins, they are more than welcome to do so, because we’re going to answer them with high intensity and winning duels, and trying to win.
“I don’t know if you say this in English, but [in Italy] we say, ‘Winning brings winning.’ So we want to win. That’s it.”
It was after Liverpool boarded the bus to take them away from Brentford that the hush was finally replaced by the hum of an expensively assembled group of players trying to find a way out of a malaise.
Chiesa was to the fore. His popularity among the supporter base outweighed his contribution last term, when he played only 466 minutes having arrived from Juventus, but this season he has been more heavily involved with 245 minutes already and five goal contributions, including a strike that briefly restored parity at Selhurst Park in September. His personality on and off the pitch is infectious.
“First of all, I’m honoured to have such a big support from the fans, because we’re talking about Liverpool fans,” said Chiesa, who sustained an ACL injury in 2022 that stalled his career.
“I do feel that I can give a bit of leadership on the pitch, because I’m 28 and we have a lot of players that are around 24, or like Florian [Wirtz] just 22.
“Last year I wasn’t fit enough. I wasn’t mentally ready and I didn’t play. I was totally OK with it because I wasn’t up to speed with the other lads. This year, as soon as we started, I felt better physically and mentally. I have played more and I still need to play more to reach the level [required].
“I was playing a lot when I won the Euros. I’m a different player now, but I like where I’m going and I like the fact I have improved in many aspects of my game, apart from the fact I have lost a bit of speed.
“For me, the most important thing is to work harder and then try to get the win. I hope there’s not going to be any trouble in the future.”
Classy guy on and off the pitch. I don't buy the theory that Slot has something against him. My bet is that he sees him (rightly or wrongly) specifically as an impact player, at least for now.
Fantastic attitude. Really couldn't ask for more.
