Why Federico Chiesa not in Liverpool squad vs Nottingham Forest amid wait for debut
Federico Chiesa's Liverpool debut remains on hold despite his switch from Juventus, as the Reds sealed a deal for the Italian ace to boost their attacking line-up before the transfer window slammed shut.
Chiesa got a taste of the Reds' atmosphere at Old Trafford, witnessing Liverpool's triumph over Manchester United just before the international break. The forward used the two-week lull to ramp up his fitness levels at the AXA Training Centre, initially joining the Under-21s before reuniting with the senior squad this week.
Liverpool resumes its Premier League campaign today at Anfield against Nottingham Forest, aiming to extend their flawless start after clinching victories in all three league games pre-international break. And Chiesa was not named in Arne Slot's matchday squad.
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When quizzed about Chiesa's potential involvement against Forest, Liverpool boss Slot played it coy, suggesting the winger might need to bide his time before making his first appearance in a Liverpool shirt.
"Federico has trained with the team now three or four times so we will see how he does today and which decision I make as we have more than 20 players.
"(It depends) on if I choose for a position or I choose the fittest at the moment."
Slot's selection policy has been consistent, with only one alteration in the starting XI across the opening trio of Premier League fixtures, as Ibrahima Konate stepped in for Jarell Quansah against Brentford last month.
The subsequent match against Man United saw the Liverpool gaffer field an unchanged squad, and he has repeated this strategy for the Reds' face off against Forest.
Harvey Elliott's injury during the international break freed up a bench spot which has been taken by Curtis Jones, who has been dealing with an injury for the last month.