Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes it is time for Arne Slot to give Federico Chiesa a consistent run in the Premier League.
The Italian winger was the standout performer in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory over Southampton last month, providing assists for Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the 2-1 win at Anfield.
Chiesa then continued his fine form by scoring off the bench in the Reds’ 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace before the international break.
The former Juventus star missed Liverpool’s trip to Turkey last week due to a minor injury, with the Reds losing 1-0 to Galatasaray.
However, after returning to the match-day squad for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, Murphy believes Chiesa is ready for an extended spell in the starting XI.
“Based on the games I’ve watched and not the online discourse of Liverpool fans, I would like to see Chiesa given a chance on the left side,” Murphy told AceOdds.
“I actually agree with Liverpool supporters online in that sense.
“Whenever he’s come on, he’s looked like a goal threat and full of confidence.
“Well, I think he’s stuck with Cody Gakpo because of his performances last season and he knows that he can rely on Gakpo without the ball but I think Gakpo has been underwhelming.
“He looks a bit short of confidence and he’s been giving the ball away.
“I know he scored against Chelsea but his performance was nowhere near to the levels needed and that he’s shown last season.”
Murphy added: “The only thing I’d say in defence of the manager is in training certain things come to the fore more than snippets will on a match day and he’s watching them train so you have to put faith in the manager.
“I do think Chiesa needs a run in the team, though.
“If you give him a run of games and he doesn’t have the same impact, it might just be that he’s better off the bench.
“At a lot of clubs some players are just better off the bench. When coming off the bench players feel as though they’ve got nothing to lose and play free.
“I’ve done it myself. You’re angry and annoyed and you play with some freedom.. When starting there’s pressure because you feel as though you’ve got to play well.
“Chiesa hasn’t been give that chance yet and I’d be amazed if he isn’t in the coming weeks.
“The levels he’s shown in his all around game form the goals, to the physicality and determination is something he deserves recognition for.
“And you could argue there’s definitely been a hole left by Luis Diaz. I understand why they sold him. It’s business.
“But Diaz gave Liverpool a real tenacity in the press like Sadio Mane did. He’s similar in terms of the work ethic off the ball and Chiesa has that.”
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