Federico Chiesa wasted no time making an impression as he reported to the AXA Training Centre on Friday, with his new teammates offering a warm welcome to the Italian forward.
After a long summer of anticipation, Liverpool’s squad was eager to meet their new signing.
Chiesa’s arrival marked the culmination of a whirlwind three days that saw him flying into Merseyside, being unveiled, and then joining his new club for training in a new city with new teammates.
He was greeted enthusiastically, with Virgil van Dijk, Tyler Morton, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all seen welcoming the 26-year-old in a video shared across Liverpool’s social media platforms.
Chiesa’s arrival was met with a cheerful “good morning, everyone” to those in the cafeteria.
Van Dijk, the captain, was among the first to approach him, and it was clear that Chiesa felt a sense of admiration.
Alexander-Arnold and Federico Chiesa crossed paths on the stairs, with the vice-captain all smiles and making light-hearted comments about the “new boy on the block.”
“New boy on the block” 😅
Morning, lads 👋 pic.twitter.com/gB8sEzEqst
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 30, 2024
The positive reception is a boost for both the players and supporters.
Chiesa will have his first opportunity to bond with his new teammates on the pitch during Friday’s training session, although Curtis Jones will be absent due to injury.
Regarding his potential inclusion in the squad for the match against Manchester United, Arne Slot said: “He’s going to train with us today but it’s a bigger chance that he is not in the squad for Sunday than he is.
“If injuries might come up in the upcoming two days we might need him, but I don’t expect him to be in but I cannot guarantee this.”
A warm welcome from Arne 🤗 pic.twitter.com/6KEm6ovTJl
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 30, 2024
The Dutchman added: “Excited.
“Like I said before, if we sign someone that can help us [in] achieving our goals and improve the squad, if we then find someone, of course you’re really excited that we brought him in.
“I think one of the best things of working here, what I’ve noticed till now, is the culture of the team.
“They work really hard to try to achieve their goals.
“And I think it’s really important that the first player you bring in has that same attitude and brings the same culture.
“He works really hard on and off the pitch to try to get the best out of him, and he combines this with scoring goals and, like I said, [being] really aggressive without the ball – those are already two characteristics with him.
“With him [able to play] so many positions – on the right, on the left and maybe even in the middle – it makes him an interesting signing for us.
“Although I agree with you, we should take care of him in the beginning because he didn’t train with the team in the last two weeks – but before he did.
“[He] hasn’t played many game minutes yet but we have a very good performance staff, so we will build him up in the right way and then hopefully we can see his quality in the near future.”
On whether Chiesa’s injury record is ‘overexaggerated’, Slot continued: “It wouldn’t be the first time the English media overexaggerate!
“I think it is true he had a long-term injury with his ACL, but for the rest I don’t think he had big injuries.
“Minor injuries like every other player maybe.
“We have a lot of trust in our performance staff and the good thing is he is not the only winger we have: he is one out of four, where some others can play in that position as well.
“If he is not available at certain moments – not only with him, also the others – then there is still enough players for me to choose.”
Read more: When Mikel Merino could make Arsenal debut after shoulder injury
Aaron Ramsdale lifts lid on why he made surprise Southampton transfer from Arsenal
Manchester United and Tottenham get to know Europa League opponents
