Mark Lawrenson Backs Liverpool’s Gamble on Federico Chiesa | OneFootball

Chiesa’s Liverpool Future: A Calculated Gamble?

Liverpool’s acquisition of Federico Chiesa in the summer raised eyebrows, but the Reds remain confident it was a calculated move, not a reckless one. The Italian international, snapped up from Juventus in a deal worth up to £12.5 million, became Arne Slot’s sole signing this season. However, his impact has been limited due to injuries and a truncated pre-season, with Slot himself admitting Chiesa has struggled to adjust to the demanding pace of English football.

A Slow Start for Chiesa at Anfield

Chiesa’s Premier League journey has been anything but smooth. To date, the forward has logged just 78 minutes across three appearances, his sole league outing coming as a late substitute in Liverpool’s 3-0 triumph over Bournemouth. His last competitive action came in the League Cup victory against West Ham United in September. Since then, the 26-year-old has been sidelined and is not in contention for the upcoming clash against Southampton.

Lawrenson’s Take on Chiesa’s Prospects

Despite Chiesa’s limited contributions, former Liverpool stalwart Mark Lawrenson believes the Reds remain in a strong position. Speaking about the Italian’s future, Lawrenson commented, “Federico Chiesa is not a silly signing for Liverpool because if they wanted to, they could get their money back on him. It was only (an initial) £10million, so they gambled a little bit, and he’s probably the fifth-choice forward.”

With Diogo Jota returning to the fold, Chiesa faces even stiffer competition for a starting berth. However, Lawrenson is clear: “If Liverpool want to send him back to Italy to get some games, then they can, but it’s not the end of the world if he stays or goes.”

Liverpool’s Commanding League Form

While Chiesa’s form is a talking point, Liverpool’s overall performance has been stellar. Sitting atop the Premier League table, the Reds boast a five-point cushion over Manchester City, with Arsenal trailing by a further four points. Lawrenson, speaking to Paddy Power, was quick to acknowledge the team’s impressive start: “Liverpool aren’t underdogs in the title race now. Everyone has seen what they have—they’ve been fortunate with no major injuries, but they’re all happy. The strikers are scoring, they’re not really conceding, and they’ve had a nice run of games.”

However, Lawrenson issued a word of caution: “They’re doing well, but it’s still early. If Virgil van Dijk falls over, or Mo Salah does a hamstring, it’s completely different.”