Federico Chiesa reflects on ‘really amazing’ first experience playing at Anfield for Liverpool

Federico Chiesa has signaled his readiness for a full debut with Liverpool after reflecting on a “really amazing” home debut at Anfield.

The Italian winger made his first appearance at Anfield during the final 18 minutes of their 3-0 Premier League victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, following his move from Juventus last month for an initial fee of £10 million.

Prior to his Anfield introduction, Chiesa made a brief cameo in Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League triumph against AC Milan just four days earlier.

With a potential full debut looming in the League Cup third-round clash against West Ham United on Wednesday, the 26-year-old expressed confidence that his fitness is steadily improving.

“I am (feeling more sharp),” he said.

“I am training for that, training harder and faster and training to be ready to play.

“But it depends on the coach and when he wants me to play. I just have to be ready.”

On whether his first experience of playing at Anfield had met his expectations, Federico Chiesa said: “Yes, it did.

“Hearing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ for the first time from the bench was amazing.

“It was amazing against Nottingham Forest but unfortunately we lost, but today was really amazing.

“I enjoyed every bit of it.

“I think I played seven minutes in Milan, not too much, but I was very, very happy to make my debut against Milan.

“Today I just had to be ready and when the coach told me to get in the game I was so happy.

“It was also a relief as I wanted to play here at Anfield.”

Chiesa had a chance to score with his first touch in front of the Kop, but his ambitious long-range effort was directed straight at Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

“I saw the ball bouncing and I was like ‘why not?’,” said Chiesa.

“I was a bit unlucky.

“Then I hit the post but I was offside.

“I just came in and wanted to help the team and run for the team, and that’s what I’m able to do.”

On Diaz’s display and general form, the former Juventus forward added: “He is playing really good but I think all the team has played really good today.

“Everyone has just performed so well and we needed to bounce back from a bad result against Nottingham and today we showed, as I said before, a great performance and Lucho scored a fantastic brace.

“But the team played so well today, everyone had a great game so congratulations to all.”

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