"I don't think he is able to play at the level we want for 90 minutes against strong opposition" – Arne Slot on Liverpool forward

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed that summer signing Federico Chiesa is still not fit enough to play an entire match ahead of their upcoming EFL Cup game.

Chiesa, 26, left Juventus to join the Merseyside outfit for a fixed sum of £10 million plus £2.5 million in add-ons past month. He has made two substitute appearances for his club, featuring in 19 minutes of action.

Ahead of Liverpool's EFL Cup home tie against West Ham United this Wednesday (September 25), Slot was asked whether the Italian will be handed his first start for the Reds. He replied (h/t Liverpool Echo):

"I don't think he's able to play 90 minutes [yet]. He only played 25 minutes now as a maximum in the last three or four months. He's able to start in our opinion, so let's see. I don't think he is able to play at the level we want for 90 minutes against strong opposition."

Slot, who has guided the Reds to five wins in six games, continued:

"I think every player is hungry to get playing time. There's so much competition in this team. We've got so many good players. They play for a great club in front of great supporters. Who would not want to play in a game like this?"

Chiesa, who penned a deal until June 2028 at Anfield earlier this summer, is likely to start in the Reds' EFL Cup clash on Wednesday. He could start alongside Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez in his club's attack.

Last season, the UEFA Euro 2020 winner relished a fine final season at Juventus. He found the back of the opposition net 10 times and recorded three assists in 37 games in all competitions for the Bianconeri.

Arne Slot asserts Liverpool youngster could feature in contest against West Ham United

At a pre-game press conference, Arne Slot was asked if highly-rated Liverpool star Trey Nyoni could make his first appearance of the season on Wednesday. The 46-year-old replied:

"Let's see first how everyone comes in this morning and then we'll make a plan for every individual. They way I look at it now... there will be a fair chance for him to be in our squad rather than the U21s."

Nyoni, who netted a goal in a pre-season friendly against Sevilla earlier in August, has featured in just one senior contest for the Anfield outfit.

The 17-year-old midfielder has produced six goals and one assist in 25 age-group matches for his club since leaving Leicester City's academy.