Arne Slot provides an explanation for Federico Chiesa’s recent absence from Liverpool, as the Italian player’s struggles persist.

Federico Chiesa missed Liverpool’s 6-3 victory over Tottenham on Sunday due to illness, confirmed manager Arne Slot.

The Italian winger, who joined the Reds from Juventus in the summer, has faced a difficult start at Anfield, managing only 123 minutes of play due to ongoing fitness concerns. Chiesa had featured for 45 minutes in Liverpool’s recent Carabao Cup win against Southampton and was expected to be on the bench for the Spurs match, but was absent from the matchday squad entirely.

Slot clarified that Chiesa’s absence was due to illness, stating: “Sick. Ill, unfortunately for him because he had some minutes against Southampton, but unfortunately, he was sick in the last two days and today as well so we couldn’t bring him to the game.”

Despite this setback, Slot was optimistic about Chiesa’s progress, saying, “He definitely is [getting stronger]. You see him on the pitch now, it means he’s getting stronger and better. He had to adapt for quite a long time. I’ve said so many times, as expected if you miss team training sessions for so long, and then you go to a league where the intensity is so high as well, and to a team who plays with a lot of intensity. He is getting stronger, but he’s also facing a lot of competition in the right-wing position!”

It remains uncertain whether Chiesa will be available for Liverpool’s Boxing Day clash against Leicester. However, Diogo Jota is back, adding further depth to the attacking options.

Slot also commented on the team’s strong start to the season, acknowledging their top position in the Premier League, but emphasizing the need to remain focused, especially when facing teams lower in the table. He said, “These teams [lower in the table], all of them, it’s special for them to go to Anfield and they know if they go to Anfield they have to be at their best so they will never underestimate us. Hopefully that’s the good thing about the 15 minutes we had [against Tottenham], that we understand we cannot underestimate for even one minute in the Premier League because then we’re not as good as we might think

we are.”