In the midst of Liverpool’s exciting 6-3 win over Tottenham last Sunday, some might have missed the absence of Chiesa from the squad. The winger, who had just returned from a three-month injury layoff, was notably not included, despite his strong performance against Southampton in the Carabao Cup earlier in the week.
In a post-match press conference (embargoed until Christmas Day), Liverpool manager Arne Slot explained the situation, telling Redmen TV 2: “He was sick, unfortunately. After playing against Southampton, he fell ill in the days leading up to the Spurs match and wasn’t fit to travel.”
Chiesa’s Liverpool career has had a difficult start, largely due to injuries. His return against Southampton seemed to offer a chance to get his career on track, as he had only made three appearances— all in September—since joining the club in the summer. However, his illness prevented him from building on that momentum, keeping him out of the Tottenham game. Now, the focus shifts to whether he will be fit enough to feature against Leicester tonight.
With four days since the win over Spurs, there’s hope that Chiesa’s condition has improved and he could potentially be available, even if just as a substitute, for the upcoming match at Anfield.
As Chiesa nears the midpoint of his debut season at Liverpool, fans are hoping the new year will bring more stability and less injury trouble. If he can overcome these setbacks, 2025 may see him become an important player for the club.
