Don Hutchison has already spotted a potential ‘problem’ with Liverpool signing Federico Chiesa

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Liverpool are locked in talks to sign Federico Chiesa as they aim to bolster their squad before deadline day.

The Italian has less than a year left on his current deal at Juventus and was left out of the squad by Thiago Motta for the club’s first two Serie A games of the season.

Liverpool are confident of signing Chiesa and the 26-year-old is believed to be keen on a move to Anfield as he looks set to become Arne Slot’s second signing at the club after Giorgi Mamardashvili.

However, Don Hutchinson believes the Italy international could struggle to get game time under his belt at Anfield if the move goes through.

Don Hutchinson feels Federico Chiesa won’t make Liverpool’s best XI

While Hutchinson acknowledged that Chiesa is an exciting player whose arrival could allow Liverpool to rest Mohamed Salah, he doesn’t think the 26-year-old can replicate the Egyptian’s end product.

“When you think of the wide players Liverpool have got, you think if they really need him,” Hutchinson said on ESPN UK’s Youtube channel.

“But to stop any noise from appearing over Mo Salah – if he’s linked with Saudi again in January – Chiesa at 26 could play in that position. It adds competition for places as Liverpool can afford to rest Salah – it gives them a little bit of balance on the right-hand side.

“If there’s any noise of Mo Salah leaving, he’s only 26 and can fill in. I’m not saying he’s going to get as many goals as Salah but he’s a hard runner who provides energy. Bringing him to the Premier League is only a good thing.”

The former Liverpool man expressed doubts over Chiesa’s injury woes and pinpointed the fact that he has suffered a string of muscle injuries after he ruptured his ACL in October 2022.

Hutchinson also believes Chiesa doesn’t make Liverpool’s best XI when the Reds have a clean bill of health, although he admitted that he could be a valuable squad option.

He continued: “He’s come back from an ACL injury and strengthened those legs but he’s picked up a lot of muscle injuries.

“You’re getting a top-class player if you keep him fit but the problem is if you’re picking your best XI, he’s not in it. Liverpool fans will be pretty excited as he’s a really good squad player. When fit and playing, he’s a really exciting player.”

Chiesa seems to have overcome injury nightmare

Since returning from his ACL injury, Chiesa has missed 27 games in all competitions for Juventus over the past two seasons.

While that isn’t ideal, a deep dive into his record shows most of the injuries he suffered in that period were just minor niggles.

Furthermore, Chiesa has featured 70 times for Juventus since the start of the 2022-23 campaign, making 33 Serie A appearances during the previous season.

The 26-year-old hasn’t reached the heights he was expected to after his stunning Euro 2020 campaign with Italy, but having overcome his injury woes, he could take the next step at Anfield.

How Chiesa would fit in at Liverpool

As Hutchinson rightly pointed out, Liverpool don’t have another right winger in the squad barring Salah, indicating that Chiesa is being signed for a reason.

He’s capable of playing anywhere across the frontline, presenting Slot with an intriguing option to see off games as a substitute while also playing a handful of games in cup competitions.

Chiesa is valued at around £15m, making him a low-risk high-reward signing at this stage of the transfer window for Liverpool.