Chiesa last appeared for Liverpool. The Italian provided an assist on his full Reds debut against West Ham United on September 25, but that was his final appearance for Arne Slot’s side for three months due to injury and illness until returning to play last month.
Liverpool fans have had to be patient with Chiesa, as seeing the Reds’ sole summer signing in action has proven to be a very slow process. But the club’s cautious approach is already paying off.
With 12 senior players remaining at home for the final Champions League league game away to PSV Eindhoven, the forward was always a strong candidate to make only his second Liverpool start.
And, as he had done against the Hammers in September, he was once again involved in the Reds’ goal scoring. Chiesa was pulled down by Joey Veerman, allowing Cody Gakpo to open the score against his former team from the penalty spot.
And it was Chiesa’s tremendous strike, saved by Walter Benitez, that allowed Harvey Elliott to score the rebound and put Liverpool back ahead.
The former Juventus star, one of the game’s most energetic players, has maintained his excellent form after returning to the squad last month. He is dangerous in front of goal, with his clever footwork and venomous strike becoming familiar in his few appearances thus far.
Chiesa is having an increasing impression since his selection. He made his FA Cup debut against Accrington Stanley, then contributed to both goals in a 2-0 win against Brentford before doing so again against PSV.
Unfortunately, Chiesa lost for the first time in his Reds career, as the team was defeated 3-2. However, as Slot stated before the game, the outcome was insignificant because Liverpool had already secured a top-two finish.
Instead, it provided an opportunity for players like Chiesa to gain valuable minutes and assert their claim. The Italy international played a complete 90 minutes, starting on the right wing before switching to the left, and proceeded to demonstrate his abilities.
His two shots on goal, both of which Benitez saved, and three successful dribbles were the most by any player at the Philips Stadion. He also made the most effective tackles (four), indicating a propensity to press and regain possession.
You won’t expect him to have a serious chance of replacing Mohamed Salah in Slot’s starting lineup this season. But, after months in the stands and weeks on the bench, Chiesa is now a viable option for Slot and Liverpool.
Elliott stakes his claim after the Slot challenge.
Elliott will be the only Liverpool player disappointed that they were handed a penalty against PSV. As referee Tobias Stieler blew his whistle and signaled to the spot, the midfielder was in the process of hitting the bottom corner with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Goalkeeper Benitez can argue that he halted in response to the whistle, but he would have struggled to save the strike anyhow.
Elliott didn’t have to wait long to score, converting the rebound from Chiesa’s effort 12 minutes later to make it goals in back-to-back Champions League games.
The 21-year-old has two goals and one assist in his last four games. Making only his third start of the season, this was an important 90 minutes for him, as it was for Chiesa. And being in his preferred number ten position made it all the more crucial.
When asked what Elliott needed to do to start more frequently last week, Slot responded that he needed to ‘keep bringing performances’. He achieved exactly that against PSV, despite the absences of Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Yes, the result will grind, even with the shadow squad. However, Slot’s selections versus PSV were not motivated by the Dutch club, but by the larger picture.
Elliott has once again demonstrated why his effect will undoubtedly expand throughout the second half of the season.
Mixed night for the kids.
With only 12 senior players at home, Slot was bound to resort to PSV’s Academy. In truth, Liverpool’s youthful talents had a mixed bag of performances.
James McConnell excelled in midfield, selected to start ahead of Tyler Morton. With his fellow midfielder hinting at a January exit earlier this month, McConnell is more than capable of filling the void. Should he not depart on loan himself, it will be no surprise if he has instead played himself into contention for a place in Slot’s squad for the second half of the season.
Jayden Danns is another who could still leave on loan before Monday’s transfer deadline. Handed his full Liverpool debut, the striker became the youngest player to make his first start for Liverpool in a Champions League game, beating Martin Kelly’s record after the defender made his debut against Olympique Lyonnais in October 2009.
In truth, it was a difficult night for the 19-year-old. Kicked throughout, he failed to record a shot on target before being withdrawn in the 83rd minute.
Trey Nyoni came off the bench to break Phil Charnock’s record and become the club’s youngest-ever player in European competition at 17 years and 213 days.
Meanwhile, centre-back Amara Nallo can perhaps feel hard done by after his Liverpool debut was ended after less than three minutes as he was dismissed for denial of a goalscoring opportunity. Becoming the youngest player to ever be sent off for the Reds, he will no doubt have mixed feelings on what should have been a night to remember.
The last time the Reds travelled to PSV, they won 3-1 in December 2008 to top their Champions League group as Rafa Benitez named a much-changed side. In amongst the changes, academy youngsters Kelly and Jay Spearing both made their debuts for the club off the bench.
