Federico Chiesa has reportedly revealed he told Arne Slot that he had “no problem” with the Liverpool manager’s choice to leave him out of the squad for the UEFA Champions League.
The Italian, who assisted both of Liverpool’s goals in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Southampton, said that his physical and mental health has improved since his challenging debut season at Anfield.
He also emphasized why he decided to stay at Anfield and fight for his spot rather than go, saying he enjoyed the rivalry for spots after Slot spent £200 million on new forwards, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
However, the Italy international was dealt a setback when Slot chose Rio Ngumoha, a teenager, to take one of the 17 spaces available for players who are not “locally trained” in the Champions League league phase.
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Chiesa Not Phased Over Missing Out On Liverpool’s Champions League Squad
According to The Independent, Chiesa said he understood, explaining: “He told me what he was thinking, why he chose to do what he did. Of course I was sorry that I am not part of the Champions League squad, as to play in it is every player’s dream.
“I just said to the coach: ‘ok – no problem. I will keep working hard and I will get my chances in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League’. I am a professional player, I play for Liverpool and to do that is amazing.
“I play for a top club. This is maybe one of the top three in the world. It’s Liverpool. Of course they are going to buy top players.
“Of course, the competition is high. If I don’t want competition, I go to another team. But I want the competition, I want to play here and I think, at the end of the day, competition helps you to become a better player.”
Chiesa made six appearances in the Premier League after arriving late in the last summer from Juventus. However he only started one top-flight game and scored in the Carabao Cup final the previous season.
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