Arne Slot must try ‘unbelievable’ Liverpool talent in a new position against Crystal Palace

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Much to his frustration, Arne Slot won’t have Hugo Ekitike available when Liverpool face Crystal Palace this weekend.

Ekitike enjoyed his winning goal against Southampton in the EFL Cup a little too much, earning a second yellow card and a suspension in the Premier League.

Therefore, Arne Slot should turn to Alexander Isak to start as his number nine, who bagged his first goal for the club in mid-week.

And although the rest of Liverpool’s front three – Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, look pretty nailed on, perhaps Slot should consider one more change.

Against Southampton at Anfield, Federico Chiesa once again proved that he’s too good to simply sit on the bench week after week.

Federico Chiesa deserves a chance to play on the left for Liverpool

In fact, Liverpool fans were purring over Chiesa’s performance – he provided two brilliant assists and picked up the Player of the Match award.

And since joining the club, Chiesa has now averaged a goal or assist for every 86 minutes he’s played for Liverpool – he’s already got seven goal contributions in 603 minutes of football.

Of course, Chiesa’s biggest issue has been that he’s stuck behind Salah at right wing, a player who Slot will never drop.

But despite Gakpo’s own good form, perhaps it’s time for Slot to give Chiesa a go on the left, after all, he assisted superbly for Ekitike’s winner on Tuesday drifting in from that flank.

Across forward positions, Chiesa is very versatile, and that explains why Slot has often even used the ‘unbelievable’ Italian as a false nine.

But even if it is harsh on Gakpo, who’s played well himself, Chiesa deserves a chance to start against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Liverpool risk losing Federico Chiesa ahead of the World Cup

Interestingly, across Chiesa’s career, his numbers aren’t too dissimilar playing from the right or from the left.

Being on the right still suits Chiesa’s left foot best in an ideal world, but there’s clearly good enough reason to give him a chance in Gakpo’s role.

Jamie Redknapp thought Chiesa bailed Liverpool out against Southampton, and that in itself should help the Italian push for a start in more consequential games. 

Chiesa isn’t getting the minutes or chances his talent deserves, and although the Italian remains committed to the club, he will be aware of the upcoming World Cup.

Italy are making slightly hard work of their qualifying group, but Chiesa will still hope to see his country competing in North America next summer.

And if his minutes don’t improve, it’s not impossible to think that Chiesa will look elsewhere in January.