“It's difficult to say but it is a big disappointment” - Liverpool boss Arne Slot explains why he feel “sorry” for summer signing Federico Chiesa

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted to feeling pained by Federico Chiesa's struggles at Anfield. The Reds signed the 26-year-old this summer from Juventus in a reported £10m deal.

Chiesa has struggled since joining the Merseyside club, registering just three appearances across competitions, and setting up one goal. However, Liverpool haven't missed him too much so far, with ten wins in their 11 games.

Speaking recently, as cited by The Mirror, Slot insisted that the Italian is struggling because he missed pre-season.

"With Federico it's a bit more simple, although it is difficult, it is a bit more simple to explain. He missed pre-season, I said this many times, and going to a league that is a higher intensity than Serie A, we just faced two Italian teams so I can say this now," said Slot.

He continued:

"That makes it difficult for him to make the step towards the intensity levels to where the rest of the team is at the moment. It has not so much to do with the Italian league or the Premier League but so much to do with him missing the entire pre-season."

The Liverpool manager, however, remained hopeful that the player would come good in the long term.

"So it is difficult for every player, when the games are constantly there, to build up players to the levels we are at. It's difficult to say but it is a big disappointment that he is going in and out of the training sessions all the time," said Slot.

He concluded:

"So I feel sorry for him but he signed a long-term contract, so we will see what he brings for us. At the moment, unfortunately for us he has been in the team selection one or two times and no more than that."

Chiesa registered ten goals and three assists from 37 games across competitions last season for Juventus.

Will Liverpool upgrade their attack in 2025?

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool could be tempted to invest in their attack next year. Mohamed Salah is in the final year of his contract with the Reds and is yet to sign a new deal.

The Merseyside club are locked in talks to extend his stay, as per Football Insider, but are yet to reach a breakthrough. Should Salah leave, Liverpool will be forced to consider a replacement.

Recent reports have suggested that the English giants have their eyes on Real Madrid's Rodrygo Goes for the job. The Brazilian's future at the Santiago Bernabeu has been a subject of speculation following Kylian Mbappe's arrival this summer (via Football 365).