As Federico Chiesa becomes Liverpool’s sixth senior out-and-out forward, how does he fit into The Reds’ squad needs this season?
FEDERICO Chiesa couldn’t look any happier to be a Liverpool player.
Player announcement media is often generic and predictable. I don’t get the empty chair thing. I mean I do, but it’s awful and looks like a still from a fancy furniture magazine rather than a football player’s imminent arrival.
The pattern is usually player in shirt. Player looking around at his new surroundings. Small video message to supporters. There weren’t many surprises with the Italian’s announcement, in that sense.
But his giddiness was palpable at the moment he’s handed the Liverpool jersey. Like Christmas morning, smiling so much you think he might burst into tears of overwhelm. Eyes scanning its beauty then back to the cameraman with sheer amazement.
After Martin Zubimendi stayed in San Sebastian because to leave he seemingly had to pay off the town’s debts and eat at La Tasca on Queens Square every night for the rest of his life, it was important to see Chiesa jump at the chance of playing for Liverpool.
I’m thrilled Liverpool have signed another forward for lots of reasons. Firstly, they’re the most fun. Especially the ones we tend to sign. They’re quick, combative and have the best chance of scoring goals and grabbing limelight.
The reality is, however, that Liverpool need him. They probably still need more players before tonight’s deadline and probably won’t sign them.
I’ve always been OK with the idea of a small squad. I get anxious thinking about the management and wellbeing of footballers I don’t know. Looking at them from afar and wondering if they’re happy.
Yet we’ve seen over years that if you’re going to compete domestically and in Europe, you simply can’t have a squad which uses, say, 13-15 players.
Manchester City are often cited as a case to the contrary, but in 2022-23 when they won the league and Champions League, they had 21 players who had made over 20 appearances.
Injuries and luck definitely play a part. We’re hoping that Liverpool’s slightly less intense approach may yield better fortune under Arne Slot.
Equipping your squad with more overall depth gives you a greater chance of regularly competing at the top level. That includes bringing in a sixth forward for three positions.
There’s lots of ways in which the likes of Newcastle, Arsenal and Aston Villa still look very short with and without European football.
Liverpool don’t and more to the point, they don’t have to worry about where people get games.
Last season, up until December, we watched Jürgen Klopp run two teams. The first was the full-strength weekend side, the second a midweek domestic cup and Europa League one.
In the 2021-22 campaign when we came so close to a quadruple, we finished the season having played 63 and used 23 players who all got 10 or more starts.
The intensity in the Premier League now means it’s the only way home. Five substitutes also means that in-game rotation purely for freshness should also become more of a factor going forward.
As mentioned, if you build for a situation where you play twice a week, you’ll probably finish in a position which enables you to. As ever, the weirdo in the room is Chelsea in all of these conversations, but hopefully you take my point.
It’s been striking how much of a void there’s been over the past couple of weeks. Football has been back, but we’ve had a lifetime between games where the only available entertainment is Neal Maupay.
The insatiable and increasing demand for more games makes you understand why so many thought the Super League would not just be unopposed, but welcomed. And why they were so jolted by the response.
We’ve become conditioned to a football extravaganza. We want more Liverpool, more intensity and more forwards.
We’ve just got another one. He couldn’t look happier to be here. It’s important to love what you do and to love them.
Just look across the road. It isn’t always easy.
Buy Dan Morgan’s book ‘Jürgen Said To Me’ on Klopp, Liverpool and the remaking of a city…
The problem with the Chiesa signing is that if he was valued at 30/40m there’d be no interest, he’s an FSG dream at 12/13m. Whether he’ll be another Aquillani or Dossena (Balotelli!) remains to be seen.
The defensive midfield requirement is past a joke and if not addressed next summer (won’t be addressed in January) that’ll be at least four spaces to fill once Virg, Salah and Trent’s contracts run down, can see Hughes/Edwards low-balling Trent and him going.
At least they didn’t try to loan Arthur Melo again, you always know transfer windows are going to be a let-down, I know we splashed last summer but that was essential due to cashing in on the Saudi money.
I do wonder if Hughes is doing that thing when you play Football Manager and take charge of the team you despise and run them into the ground and relegate them.