Liverpool's forgotten man sends timely message to Arne Slot with FA Cup show
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Federico Chiesa has been in danger of becoming a forgotten man at Liverpool. But against Accrington Stanley, who famously got mentioned in that 1989 milk campaign advert as "Who are they?", the Italian showed something about who he is. The obvious caveat is that this was against League Two opposition in Accrington, who had their resistance broken by two first-half goals. But, after a less-than inspiring start to his Reds career, the club’s only summer signing showed a glimmer of what he can do here at least.
Chiesa got the fourth goal - his first for the club - to finish off this FA Cup third-round tie late on. It was a fine finish after he was found by teenager Trey Nyoni. The £10m signing from Juventus ran towards the area before firing low in off the post from 22 yards. It was a deserved reward for his 45-minute cameo. Chiesa had earlier hit the post, had two attempts saved and set up Darwin Nunez for a chance.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot will want to see some of this against much better opposition. But it is a flicker of hope for Chiesa, who had only featured four times before yesterday due to injuries, illness and lack of match fitness. In fact, it was a bit of illness beforehand which denied him a start as the Reds took on a side 86 places below them in the football league pyramid.
There was a place in the team for Rio Ngumoha, who at 16 years and 135 days became the youngest player to start a game for Liverpool. And the teenage recruit from Chelsea didn’t look out of place in this rotated Reds side, with some nice moves and touches in a promising display.
