Arne Slot revealed why Federico Chiesa did not feature in his matchday squad as Liverpool thrashed Spurs in a nine-goal thriller on Sunday.
In the Dutchman’s first transfer window in charge at Anfield, Chiesa became the only major arrival of the summer as he joined from Juventus in a deal worth an initial £10million at the end of August.
Despite the lack of new arrivals, Slot has immediately set about molding the team he inherited to his style of play and has enjoyed immediate success.
Liverpool currently sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League and sit atop the revamped Champions League league phase.
A 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in September marks the only time Slot has tasted defeat in a competitive fixture since taking the reins.
However, despite being lauded as a ‘bargain’ upon arrival, Chiesa has yet to share in the success on the pitch at Anfield.
Arne Slot has revealed an unspecified illness kept Federico Valverde out in Liverpool’s win over Spurs
Slot’s side ran riot at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, securing a 6-3 win to remain top of the table
The Dutchman added Chiesa is getting closer to a return after an injury-hit start to life at Anfield
Asked about Chiesa’s latest absence, Slot revealed that an unspecified illness kept the Italy international out of the team that defeated Tottenham to remain top of the table at Christmas.
‘Sick. Ill,’ the Liverpool manager explained. ‘Unfortunately for him because he had some minutes against Southampton.
‘Unfortunately, he was sick in the last two days and today as well so we couldn’t bring him to the game.’
Less than a month after arriving on Merseyside, Chiesa made his Premier League debut as a late substitute as Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 win over Bournemouth in September.
A first start for his new club in the EFL Cup followed days later before injuries have forced Chiesa back onto the sidelines.
However, despite another setback Slot insisted Chiesa is on his way back to full fitness.
He continued: ‘You see him on the pitch now, it means he’s getting stronger and better.
‘He had to adapt for quite a long time. I’ve said so many times, as expected if you miss team training sessions for so long.
‘And then you go to a league where the intensity is so high as well, and to a team who plays with a lot of intensity.
‘He is getting stronger, but he’s also facing a lot of competition in the right-wing position.’
The Reds will look to strengthen their position at the top of the table as they host strugglers Leicester at Anfield on Thursday.
