Chiesa ready for the return of the Reds

Federico Chiesa will play part of Liverpool’s EFL Cup quarter-final at Southampton tomorrow night.

The Italy international has struggled with injuries and a general lack of fitness since his summer move 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 with Fulham this weekend, but will play at St. Mary’s.

Arne Slot’s gives the latest information on his team’s injuries 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DL7WHgTUT4

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Reds boss Arne Slot said: “This is definitely a moment where he can get minutes. The number of minutes is the question. You can’t expect him to play 90, I think, especially not at this level, where the intensity is so high because he’s already been out for five or six months. If he has a good training session, he will get playing time.

“If 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 has hinted that Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo will play.

Liverpool’s progress is ‘normal’

Liverpool go into the game having cut their lead at the top of the Premier League to two points, but are still going strong in all three competitions they are currently involved in.

Asked if he was surprised by Liverpool’s impressive start, Slott said: “I think it’s normal that Liverpool fight for every trophy and it’s a long time in every cup to go all the way.

“That happened last season when this club won this (EFL Cup) competition. So I’m not surprised by the quality we have to compete for these three trophies at the moment, with the fourth (FA Cup) starting in January.

“It’s a challenge because here we have a lot of competition from other teams as well. 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 path to the final.”

Slot has sympathy for Martin

Liverpool face a Southampton side still reeling from the sacking of head coach Russell Martin on Sunday, not long after a 5-0 home defeat by Tottenham.

Slot has expressed his sympathy for former Scotland international and Wolves boss Gary O’Neill who was also sacked at the weekend, but the accepted results ultimately decide the manager’s fate.

He said: “It’s a shame in my opinion. Such things happen. Russell Martin did so well last season for Southampton. And this season (his side) played good football. We experienced that when we had such a difficult day there. We only beat them 3-2.

“So you’re always sorry if managers don’t get the chance to continue. Especially in these two situations because for me they were managers who had a good idea of ​​how they wanted to play with their team. Unfortunately, they didn’t manage to collect enough points – that’s when managers get fired.”