Federico Chiesa Liverpool statement at open training says a lot about latest absence

Federico Chiesa must have felt a whirlwind of emotions during Liverpool's open training session at the AXA Training Centre, knowing he wouldn't be playing against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League opener. Arne Slot made waves when he boldly left the forward out of his initial European squad, choosing instead to include Rio Ngumoha and Giovanni Leoni, two young players tasked with providing depth in attack and defence.

Despite being ineligible for the Atletico match, and then omitted from the squad for Liverpool's Merseyside derby win over Everton, Chiesa has since been given a second chance. This came after Leoni sustained an ACL injury during his promising debut against Southampton in the League Cup last week.

This unfortunate incident allowed Liverpool to utilise new UEFA registration rules and register Chiesa - who had put on a stellar performance against the Saints - in place of his fellow Italian for the rest of the league phase. Chiesa then scored a late equaliser as a substitute against Crystal Palace on Saturday, only for Liverpool to be robbed of a point by Eddie Nketiah's 97th minute winner.

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Despite spending his debut season at Anfield largely warming the bench, Federico Chiesa is eager to seize his second chance with Liverpool. However, he'll have to bide his time a bit longer. Despite being spotted at open training, he wasn't part of the squad travelling to Turkey, with manager Slot expected to provide an update in his pre-match press conference tonight.

Regardless of the circumstances, Chiesa's commitment can't be questioned - a fact that has earned him several plaudits from his gaffer this season. This was perhaps best exemplified by one particularly spirited moment during open training.

The 27-year-old, who has already netted two goals and provided two assists in six appearances this season, showed his eagerness during a resistance training exercise. Paired with Dominik Szoboszlai for a drill involving a sprint with a resistance band around their waist, Chiesa was raring to go before his teammates had even got their bands on.

In a humorous contrast, fellow striker Hugo Ekitike was seen playfully lashing Alexis Mac Allister with his own band as Chiesa, held back by Szoboszlai, started his sprint. One can't help but ponder how many of Ekitike's team-mates and coaches would have fancied giving him a dressing down after his red card for shirt removal in last week's 2-1 triumph over Southampton!

Ekitike is set to make a comeback to Liverpool's starting line-up against Galatasaray, following Alexander Isak's 84-minute stint covering for the suspended forward during the Reds' 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday. However, Chiesa will be left twiddling his thumbs once again, having been omitted from another European squad. Not for the first time, he's managed to grab headlines without setting foot on the pitch.

The 27-year-old already has a European championship under his belt with Italy, despite not yet achieving this feat at club level. His Champions League record is nothing to sniff at either, boasting six goals and three assists from 16 appearances. Yet, he's never made it past the last 16, and has only graced the knockout stages twice.

Chiesa will undoubtedly be keen to rectify both records this season as he aims to thaw out from the Liverpool chill, with his most recent absence being the latest twist in his Anfield saga. Slot has conceded that the forward deserves more chances following his standout performance against Southampton last week.

"You only get luck if you work hard," he said ahead of facing Crystal Palace. "[After the injury to Leoni] we would have brought him in the Champions League squad, but if he didn't do as well as he did [against Southampton] we would probably not look at him as if he gets more playing time.

"But he did so well that it normally leads to a bit more playing time if you can keep producing in training sessions and in the moments we bring him in. Again an example of a player that hardly played last season and the amount of players that from [a high] level all the way [down] because they don't have a perspective on playing time or development, but he showed the mentality to go up. Now he's getting more minutes and where that leads to depends also on how others are doing."

Chiesa's position in Liverpool's hierarchy remains evident despite his promising beginning to the campaign, with Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Isak and Ekitike obviously positioned above him in the rankings. Consequently, first-team chances might stay limited.

Yet that doesn't mean he lacks a part to fulfil - particularly if he keeps delivering when called upon. The Reds' champion when they last claimed the Champions League in 2019 was notably such a player.

Divock Origi had endured the 2017/18 campaign on loan at VfL Wolfsburg and, with 12 months remaining on his Liverpool deal, was considered excess to requirements at Anfield.

However, a summer departure never materialised. He had to wait until early November for his maiden outing of the campaign, appearing as a late substitute in a bid to overturn a disappointing 2-0 reverse away to Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League group stages.

The Belgian's subsequent appearance arrived a month later, brought on late during the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield. We all know what unfolded next as Origi netted the winner in the 96th minute. He concluded the campaign with seven goals, including his crucial double against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals and decisive strike against Tottenham Hotspur in the final.

From his 21 outings that season, he was handed just seven starts. Yet he would end the campaign as a Liverpool legend. There is admittedly a considerable journey ahead for Chiesa if he is to emulate such achievements. But you cannot question his resolve to make his mark at Anfield.

"It was really difficult but I don't think I was at the level the coach wanted me to play," he admitted following his man-of-the-match performance against Southampton. "But I understood his choices.

"This year, it is different. I feel better physically and mentally. The coach has seen this and given me more opportunities.

"I'm glad that I have made some contributions in the Premier League. That is what Liverpool want from every player who plays for them. It is what the coach wants.

"All the other players want it. If you play for Liverpool, you have to be able to make a difference. I'm very happy for the moment and I have to keep working hard to get more chances in the future.

"I play for a top club. This is maybe one of the top three in the world. It's Liverpool – of course they are going to buy top players; of course, the competition is high.

"If I don't want competition, I go to another team. But I want the competition, I want to play here and I think, at the end of the day, competition helps you to become a better player. I am a professional player, I play for Liverpool and to do that is amazing."

During the same chat, Chiesa was also questioned about missing out on the Reds' Champions League squad. Within 48 hours, his previously improbable comeback had been sealed. However, following his latest shock omission, he'll need to wait a bit longer for a European chance to present itself.

His Anfield stint might not have gone according to plan thus far, but Chiesa will be hoping he can still reverse his fortunes. Determined to make his mark, make no mistake - Federico is here to succeed.

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