New signing Federico Chiesa has been included in Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League opener at AC Milan on Tuesday. However, manager Arne Slot admitted the Italian is not yet fit enough to start such a big game.

 

Chiesa completed a £10m move from Juventus to Liverpool in the final week of the summer transfer window. The deal saw him become the only addition to the Anfield outfit following the departure of former boss Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season. Liverpool also signed goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, but the Georgia international has been loaned back to Valencia.

The 26-year-old has suffered a series of serious injuries since helping Italy win the European Championship in 2021, and he arrives at Anfield having played his last competitive match in Italy’s defeat to Switzerland at Euro 2024. Coach Arne Slot said of including Chiesa in the squad for the first time this season: “He is in our squad for the first time. And because it is the first time, it would be a big surprise if he starts tomorrow. He has had some training, but it is too early to play 90 minutes. But he can play a few minutes if we need him.”

Despite Chiesa’s recent fitness issues, coach Arne Slot defended the decision to make the move: “I think he is a quality player who combines personal qualities with a very high work rate. Liverpool’s culture is to work really hard when we don’t have the ball. And I think Chiesa has that in his game. He’s a good goalscorer and can play in a number of positions up front.”

Liverpool begin their new Champions League campaign with a trip to AC Milan on Tuesday, just days after losing 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at Anfield in the Premier League. Having won their first three games of the Arne Slot era, the defeat was a 𝔰hock. Captain Virgil van Dijk urged a comeback: “We have a very good group, and we really understand that this defeat was unacceptable, very disappointing. We all know that everyone can do better and we have to show that on Tuesday. This squad has a lot of experience, we have been through defeats and difficult moments together. We have to stay calm and make things good again.”