Chiesa set for Reds return

Federico Chiesa will play some half in Liverpool’s EFL Cup quarter-final at Southampton tomorrow night time.

The Italy worldwide has struggled with accidents and a basic lack of health since his summer season transfer from Juventus and has made simply three appearances, the final of which got here on September 25 within the win over West Ham at Anfield.

He was an unused substitute within the 2-2 draw with Fulham on the weekend however will play an element at St. Mary’s.

Arne Slot’s gives an damage replace on his squad 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DL7WHgTUT4

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 17, 2024

Reds boss Arne Slot stated: “It’s undoubtedly a second the place he can get minutes. The quantity of minutes is the query. You can’t count on from him to play 90, I believe, particularly not at this degree, the place the depth is so excessive as a result of he has been out for 5 or 6 months now. If he has an excellent coaching session he’ll get minutes.

“If he begins, or is available in and perhaps performs the second half, that’s one thing we should decide about.”

Diogo Jota gained’t begin after lacking coaching yesterday however Slot hinted Japan midfielder Wataru Endo would play.

Liverpool progress is ‘regular’

Liverpool go into the sport having had their lead on the prime of the Premier League minimize to 2 factors however nonetheless going robust in all three competitions wherein they’re at the moment collaborating.

Requested if he had been stunned by Liverpool’s spectacular begin, Slot stated: “I believe that’s regular for Liverpool to be combating for each trophy and to be for a very long time in each cup to go all the way in which.

“This occurred final season when this membership gained this [EFL Cup] competitors. So I’m not stunned with the standard we have now that we’re competing at this second for these three trophies, and the fourth one [the FA Cup] is beginning in January.

“It’s a problem as a result of we have now a number of nice competitors right here in different groups as effectively. Within the League Cup, in case you take a look at the opposite groups which can be nonetheless in it, not one of the groups which can be in are going to be a straightforward highway to the ultimate.”

Slot has sympathy for Martin

Liverpool face a Southampton facet nonetheless reeling from the sacking of head coach Russell Martin on Sunday, shortly after their 5-0 defeat at residence to Tottenham.

Slot expressed sympathy for the previous Scotland worldwide, and Wolves boss Gary O’Neil who was additionally dismissed on the weekend, however accepted outcomes in the end resolve a supervisor’s destiny.

He stated: ”For my part it’s a pity. This stuff occur. Russell Martin has completed so effectively final season for Southampton. This season once more [his side] performed good soccer. We skilled this after we had such a tricky day over there. We solely beat them 3-2.

“So that you at all times really feel sorry if managers don’t get the prospect to proceed. Particularly in these two conditions as a result of for me they had been managers who had a good suggestion of how they wished to play with their staff. Sadly, they weren’t capable of get sufficient factors – then managers get sacked.”