Federico Chiesa is set to be handed his Liverpool debut by Arne Slot when they take on AC Milan in the Uefa Champions League on Tuesday night.
The 26-year-old signed a four-year deal after completing his switch from Juventus for a £10m transfer fee in the summer. The Reds could pay a further £2.5m in add-ons.
The Italian attacker watched Saturday’s shock defeat to Nottingham Forest in the stands at Anfield as he has not yet been named in a matchday squad while he gets up to speed.
Speaking to the media ahead of their Champions League opener, Slot explained why he was keen to add Chiesa to his ranks.
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“I always like to bring in quality players and I believe he is a quality player,” he said. “He combines that quality with an enormous work rate and the culture of this club.
“This team is working really hard when we don’t have the ball and I think he brings that to his game in combinations with scoring goals and combinations with playing several positions up front.”
Chiesa set for Liverpool debut
Slot conceded that Chiesa is not ready to enter Liverpool‘s starting lineup just yet, but did suggest that he could see gametime against Milan.
“He is with us as part of the team selection for the first time and since I said it is the first time he is here, it would be a big surprise for him and everyone if he starts tomorrow.
“So I don’t think you should expect him to start but he will make some minutes for the first time tomorrow, if we need him and that is something we’ll see tomorrow. But for the first time with us, I don’t expect him to start with us.
“He’s had for some time on his own for a long time now and has been training with us for a few weeks and had some training time. So it is too early to play 90 minutes but hopefully some minutes in the upcoming fixtures.”
Slot also confirmed that Alexis Mac Allister is not a fitness doubt heading into Tuesday, revealing that his substitution at the weekend was just rotation.
“I think he can play 60 or 90 minutes tomorrow and we will see the decision I make tomorrow. He is like the other 22, an important player for us,” he said.
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