Federico Chiesa Deal Reached as Liverpool’s January Plans Take Shape
Federico Chiesa has become a major talking point among Liverpool fans this season — and it now appears the Italian winger could soon play a key role under Arne Slot.
Chiesa isn’t the only Liverpool player attracting attention during what has been a testing start to the campaign, but his situation could soon be closely tied to that of Mohamed Salah, as Slot begins to map out his January strategy.
Few would deny that Salah hasn’t quite reached his usual standards this season, while Chiesa has taken full advantage of his limited minutes — contributing two goals and two assists in less than 180 minutes of football.
Salah’s Absence Looms Over Liverpool
Salah recently helped Egypt secure World Cup qualification, but his upcoming involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) could see him miss up to 10 matches from late December onwards.
Although Slot has been considering Jeremie Frimpong as a possible option on the right flank during Salah’s absence, Chiesa might be an even stronger candidate to fill that role.
While the 27-year-old hasn’t quite rediscovered his peak form yet, Salah’s absence during the congested Christmas and New Year period remains a significant concern for Liverpool — a time when fixture density in the Premier League is at its highest.
The Reds are, however, used to managing this challenge, as AFCON interrupts the season every two years.
Depth Tested and Opportunities Created
Following a major attacking rebuild in the summer, Slot will look to Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz to shoulder more of the goalscoring burden in Salah’s absence, while Cody Gakpo will also play a crucial role across the front line.
Yet, Salah’s temporary departure could present the perfect opportunity for Chiesa to cement his place in the team. The Italian impressed with a man-of-the-match performance against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, followed by an important equaliser off the bench at Crystal Palace.
His momentum was recently halted by a minor injury that ruled him out of the Galatasaray trip and kept him on the bench against Chelsea, but if he regains full fitness by late December, Chiesa could be perfectly timed to step in as Salah’s replacement.
Chiesa’s Moment to Shine
Although Frimpong was signed as a potential backup option for Salah, his background as a wing-back makes him less suited to a pure attacking role. In contrast, Chiesa’s natural forward instincts, pace, and direct style make him a more organic fit for Liverpool’s right-sided position.
Should he return to full sharpness, AFCON could provide the perfect window for Chiesa to make his mark — both as a short-term solution and as a long-term contender in Slot’s system.
Ian Doyle’s Perspective
Journalist Ian Doyle believes Salah’s recent form for Egypt — including two goals in midweek — should help him rediscover his confidence ahead of AFCON.
“Salah won’t become replaceable overnight,” Doyle explains. “Liverpool will definitely feel his absence when he leaves for the tournament in Morocco, running from December 21 to January 18.”
He notes that Slot seems inclined to try Frimpong in Salah’s position, while Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo may also be used in rotation, depending on tactical needs.
It’s worth remembering that Chiesa was originally signed from Juventus last summer as Salah’s understudy. Opportunities have been limited since his arrival, but this season he’s begun to re-establish himself as a genuine attacking threat — and his versatility could make him invaluable over the coming months.
Chiesa is unlikely to start every game during Salah’s absence, but with Liverpool juggling multiple competitions over the festive period, there will be plenty of chances for him to prove his worth.
Unlike last season, the Italian has already shown he can make a decisive impact when called upon — and this winter could be the moment he truly announces himself as a key part of Arne Slot’s Liverpool project.