Arne Slot revealed why Federico Chiesa was left out of his matchday squad as Liverpool beat Spurs in a nine-goal thriller on Sunday.
In the Dutchman’s first transfer window in charge at Anfield, Chiesa became the only major signing of the summer when he joined from Juventus in late August in a deal worth an initial £10 million.
Despite the lack of newcomers, Slot has immediately started molding the team he inherited to his playing style and has enjoyed immediate success.
Liverpool are currently four points clear at the top of the Premier League and top the new-look Champions League stage.
A 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in September is the only time Slot has tasted defeat in a competitive match since taking charge.
Despite being hailed as a ‘bargain’ upon arrival, Chiesa is yet to share in the success on the pitch at Anfield.
Arne Slot revealed that an unspecified illness kept Federico Chiesa out of Liverpool’s win over Spurs
Slot’s side ran riot at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, securing a 6-3 win to stay top
Asked about Chiesa’s latest absence, Slot revealed that an unspecified illness kept the Italy international out of the team that defeated Tottenham and remained top of the table at Christmas.
‘Sick. Sick,” the Liverpool manager explained. ‘Unfortunately for him, because he had a few minutes against Southampton.
“Unfortunately he was sick the last two days and today too, so we couldn’t take him to the game.”
Less than a month after arriving on Merseyside, Chiesa made his Premier League debut as a late substitute as Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 win over Bournemouth in September.
A first start for his new club in the EFL Cup followed days later before Chiesa was sidelined again due to injuries.
However, despite another setback, Slot insisted Chiesa is on the way to full fitness.
He continued: “You see him on the pitch now, it means he’s getting stronger and better.
Slot added that Chiesa is moving closer to a return after an injury-hit start to life at Anfield
Chiesa’s only Premier League appearance to date came as a late substitute in September
‘He had to adapt for a long time. I’ve said it so many times, as expected when you miss team practices for so long.
‘And then you go to a competition where the intensity is so high, and to a team that plays with a lot of intensity.
‘He is getting stronger, but also has a lot of competition in the right-wing position.’
The Reds will look to strengthen their position at the top of the table when they host strugglers Leicester at Anfield on Thursday.