Federico Chiesa, reflecting on his “incredible” Anfield debut, expressed his eagerness to soon be a regular starter for Liverpool.
He also shared that he’s gearing up for the upcoming clash against West Ham.
Since arriving from Juventus on August 29, Arne Slot has been gradually integrating the Italian winger into the squad. After a brief appearance from the bench against AC Milan, Chiesa made his home debut at Anfield in the match against Bournemouth.
During the game, there was a moment when the ball came his way, giving him a golden opportunity to take a shot with his first touch. Although the fans were willing the ball into the net, the Bournemouth keeper managed to make the save. Speaking with LFC TV after the game, Chiesa smiled as he recalled the incident:
“I saw the ball bounce and thought, ‘Why not?’ I was unlucky, and then I hit the post, but I was offside. When I came on, I just wanted to help the team, run for the team, and that’s exactly what I’m here to do.”
When asked by interviewer Peter McDowall if his home debut lived up to expectations, Chiesa enthusiastically responded:
“It did! Hearing You’ll Never Walk Alone from the bench was just amazing. It was also incredible against Nottingham Forest, though we lost that match. Today, though, was special, and I loved every moment of it.”
Now, with 20 energetic minutes under his belt from the Bournemouth game, Chiesa is setting his sights on Wednesday’s League Cup tie against West Ham. Although he played centrally on Saturday, there’s a chance he could be deployed on the right, potentially giving Mo Salah a rest, as the Egyptian has featured in all eight of Liverpool’s games this season.
When asked if he’s feeling sharper and prepared for more playing time, possibly starting midweek, the 26-year-old confidently replied:
“Yes, I am. I’m training for it—working harder and faster. I’m pushing myself to be ready, but ultimately, it’s up to the coach when he decides to put me in.”
It’s clear Chiesa is eager for his first full start, and he’s doing everything he can to be prepared.
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