Useful information
Prime News delivers timely, accurate news and insights on global events, politics, business, and technology
Federico Chiesa will play a part in Liverpool’s EFL Cup quarter-final tomorrow night at Southampton.
The Italy international has battled injuries and a general lack of fitness since his summer departure from Juventus and has made just three appearances, the last of which came on September 25 in the win over West Ham at Anfield. .
He was an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw against Fulham at the weekend but will play a role at St. Mary’s.
Arne Slot’s offers updated information on injuries in his squad 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DL7WHgTUT4
-Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 17, 2024
Reds boss Arne Slot said: “It’s definitely a time where he can get minutes. The number of minutes is the question. I think he can’t be expected to play 90, especially at this level, where the intensity is so high because he’s been out for five or six months. If you do a good workout you will get minutes.
“Whether he starts, or comes in and maybe plays the second half, that’s something we’ll have to make a decision on.”
Diogo Jota will not start after missing training yesterday, but Slot hinted that Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo would play.
Liverpool’s progress is ‘normal’
Liverpool come into the game with a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League, but remain strong in the three competitions they currently participate in.
When asked if he had been surprised by Liverpool’s impressive start, Slot said: “I think it is normal for Liverpool to fight for every trophy and be in every cup for a long time until they go all the way.
“This happened last season when this club won this competition (EFL Cup). So I’m not surprised by the quality we have, that we are competing at the moment for these three trophies, with the fourth (the FA Cup) starting in January.
“It is a challenge because here we also have a lot of competition from other teams. “In the League Cup, if you look at the other teams that are still in it, none of the teams that are in it will have an easy route to the final.”
Slot feels sympathy for Martin
Liverpool face a Southampton side still reeling from the sacking of manager Russell Martin on Sunday, shortly after their 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham.
Slot expressed his sympathy for former Scotland international and Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, who was also sacked at the weekend, but the accepted results ultimately decide the manager’s fate.
He said: “In my opinion, it’s a shame. These things happen. Russell Martin did very well last season with Southampton. This season (his team) played good football again. We experienced this when we had such a hard day there. We only beat them 3-2.
“That’s why you always feel bad if the managers don’t have the opportunity to continue. Especially in these two situations because to me they were coaches who had a good idea of how they wanted to play their team. “Unfortunately, they couldn’t score enough points and then they fired the coaches.”
