Federico Chiesa delivered a standout performance against Brentford, demonstrating why he could become a pivotal player in Liverpool’s ambitious campaign.

His game time so far under Arne Slot has been limited due to injuries and a lack of pre-season with Reds fans seeing very little about what he can offer to the team. However, during the seven minutes he was on the pitch the 27-year-old offered relentless energy to a struggling and fatigued side.

Chiesa’s dynamism was on full display as he constantly pressed Brentford’s backline, epitomizing former manager Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing philosophy. His ability to close down Keane Lewis-Potter with pace and precision disrupted Brentford’s rhythm and forced errors in crucial areas of the pitch.

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What stood out even more was Chiesa’s versatility. Operating across the front line, he seamlessly interchanged positions, linking play and creating opportunities. The build-up for Darwin Nunez's second goal encapsulated this as the Italian made a clever movement into space followed by an inch-perfect pass to Harvey Elliott who set up Nunez.

It’s been a long wait for Chiesa. His last Premier League appearance for Liverpool came all the way back on September 21st against Bournemouth.

Although his return against Brentford was just a brief cameo, it clearly meant a lot to the Italian international. Chiesa’s passion was evident—he was the first to celebrate with Nunez on both of Liverpool’s goals, dispelling any rumors of discontent at Anfield. Suggestions that he is unhappy at the club now seem far off the mark.

As Chiesa begins to rack up more minutes, he has the opportunity to earn Slot’s trust—something the manager should perhaps be granting more readily. His energy, enthusiasm, and quality were all on display, raising questions about why he can't now feature more prominently this campaign.

If the former Juventus star can continue to deliver impactful performances in the second half of the season, Slot’s cautious approach earlier in the campaign might ultimately prove to be a masterstroke. With Liverpool competing on multiple fronts, his presence adds depth and unpredictability to the squad—a critical factor in sustaining success over a grueling campaign.

The performance against Brentford felt like a statement from Chiesa, not just to fans but to Slot too. If he continues to marry his natural talent with the principles of the Dutchman’s system, Chiesa could cement his place as a cornerstone of Liverpool’s future success.