Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has discussed the potential for using Federico Chiesa in a central attacking role following Alexander Isak‘s injury.
The Reds will have to make do without Isak until later in the season, with the Swede’s broken leg to keep him unavailable for several months.
It leaves Hugo Ekitike as the only out-and-out striker available for Liverpool, with his fitness and freshness now vital.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Wolves game, Slot explained that Chiesa could take up a central role to make up for the loss of Isak and aid Ekitike’s workload.
“He (Ekitike) is not the only No. 9 I have,” Slot said.
“Federico Chiesa can play in that position as well, so I have the chance to maybe, I wouldn’t say rest him, but take him off if he’s completely tired.”
Slot has been consistently hesitant to use Chiesa this season, only handing him 151 minutes of Premier League action, none of which were from the start.
But his comments suggest that he is at least an option during a period in which it is so important to handle Ekitike with care, with nine games to come in January alone.
Chiesa will also likely be needed elsewhere across the forward line in the weeks to come, but how involved Slot allows him to be remains to be seen.
Slot admits Liverpool have enjoyed more luck
Slot also discussed Liverpool’s improved performances and results of late, being very honest in admitting luck has played a part.
“I think the main thing that has changed, apart from the second half against Brighton, is we haven’t conceded that many chances as we did in the run we had before,” he added.
“I also think we’ve been a bit more lucky than we’ve been in the games before.
“We’ve played games where we were so much better than the other team, in terms of everything that comes with football.
“But maybe the main thing that people always look at is your chance creation against what you’ve conceded.
“In the game against Spurs, I don’t think we had many more chances than them, and in the game against Brighton, it was equal as well.
“And those are the two games we’ve won, so that’s what you get with a low-scoring sport.
“Many times, we’ve been so, so, so unlucky, with the result. Almost every time, but in the last two games, I wouldn’t say we don’t deserve it, but it was more of an equal game than many other games that we’ve lost.
“That’s the nice part of football – the performance doesn’t always give the result that you can expect.”
Some may baulk at Slot’s comments, but good and bad fortune do play a part in football, and it does feel like Liverpool have lacked luck this season.
Granted, you often make your own, but the breaks are now falling the Reds’ way more than they were, coinciding with their rise up the Premier League.
Liverpool still have to improve regardless of luck, though, with back-to-back home games against Wolves and Leeds representing a great chance of six points.
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