Liverpool have signed Federico Chiesa in a bargain deal from Juventus (Image: Getty)
Jurgen Klopp was reportedly the catalyst for Liverpool’s interest in Federico Chiesa and that may present new boss Arne Slot with a dilemma as he attempts to fit his attacking talent into one team.
Liverpool have signed the Italian in a bargain £12million transfer from Juventus. Chiesa was surplus to requirements in Italy and had only a year remaining on his contract.
The 26-year-old is a long-term target of Liverpool’s. The Premier League side were first linked with the Italy international after his impressive performances at Euro 2020. He was a key player in the triumphant Azzurri team.
According to Italian publication Calciomercato, it was initially Klopp’s interest which drove Liverpool’s early desire to complete a deal for the forward. Back then, Liverpool were quoted £100m and quickly backed away from a transfer, believing there was better value elsewhere on the market.
But with Chiesa’s asking price significantly reduced this summer, Liverpool were quick to sign Klopp’s former target - even with the German now replaced by Slot.
Klopp’s desire to sign Chiesa could have implications for the new Liverpool boss, though. The player’s camp might still believe he will play the prominent role that the ex-Reds manager might have promised.
Slot could have other plans and is unlikely to view Chiesa as much of an important player as his predecessor might have done. The former Fiorentina star will compete with a vast pool of attacking talent for a place in Liverpool’s front three.
Mohamed Salah is almost certain to start most matches, while Luis Diaz has enjoyed a positive start to the season. Diogo Jota appears to be Slot’s preferred option to be the focal point in the forward line.
Arne Slot has inherited a wealth of Liverpool attacking talent from Jurgen Klopp (Image: Getty)
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Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo are already competing for minutes, with Chiesa’s arrival making him the sixth option. It seems likely that the new signing will start his Anfield career at the base of the pecking order.
Slot has enjoyed a positive start to life at Liverpool and has settled on a core group of starters. He made only one change between the victories over Ipswich and Brentford, replacing Jarell Quansah with Ibrahima Konate.
Liverpool could still enter the transfer market before tonight’s deadline. Centre-back and a defensive midfield have been identified as areas of improvement. But any new signing seems unlikely to make an immediate impact.
