Liverpool FC is facing significant introspection after suffering two painful defeats last week, losing to Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United. With just nine matches left this season, manager Arne Slot has two weeks during the international break, starting on March 17, 2025, to evaluate the team's performance and contemplate necessary changes.
The latest setback was particularly grim, as Liverpool lost 2-1 to Newcastle at Wembley Stadium during the EFL Cup final on March 16, 2025. They will need to regroup quickly as their next challenge looms—a Merseyside derby against Everton on April 2.
Despite Liverpool's bleak showing at Wembley, there was one highlight: Federico Chiesa scored during stoppage time, providing what can only be described as effectively a consolation goal. His goal was the sole bright spot amid disappointment, highlighting questions about why he has not seen more game time under Slot's management.
James Pearce of The Athletic stated, "Chiesa deserves more game time during the run-in," reflecting on the forward's sharpness when he came off the bench. Chiesa's 16-minute cameo at Wembley showcased his potential; he won all four duels, registered as many shots on target as all other Liverpool players combined, and had more touches inside the opponent's box than any starter or substitute with five.
To date, Chiesa has only made 11 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Juventus for £10 million last summer, accumulating just 387 minutes of playing time. This includes only seven minutes played in the Premier League since January 2025.
Reflecting on this frustrating campaign, Chiesa's sporadic deployment raises significant concerns about Arsenal's tactical decisions. Slot acknowledged the challenge of managing players' workloads, citing Liverpool's congested fixture schedule. Players often do not have enough training time together due to such scheduling, making it difficult for those on the fringes to make a case for more playing minutes.
Slot remarked, "It’s not only about Federico when we are talking about him being limited in his playing time," emphasizing the competition he faces from stars like Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, and Mo Salah. His management style has drawn mixed reviews—while few can deny Slot's overall effectiveness, many fans question why Chiesa is not utilized more.
Alexis Mac Allister, reflecting on the team's woes, captioned his social media post, "Painful week for us, but it doesn’t change the great things we’ve done this season, especially in the Premier League." Currently, Liverpool maintains a strong position at the top of the Premier League, leading Arsenal by 12 points, which some fans view as sufficient consolation amid their recent disheartening results.
Mac Allister's message reinforces the need for unity and optimism heading forward. Liverpool's ambitions were substantial earlier this season, but hopes of securing multiple trophies evaporated quickly after their defeats. Their early exit from the Champions League against PSG and the frustrating loss to Newcastle have left the Reds grasping for silver linings, and Chiesa’s goal at Wembley is merely one fragment of flickering hope.
Supporters and pundits alike have called for Slot to embrace Chiesa's abilities. Despite being sidelined for long stretches due to fitness concerns, Chiesa’s performance during the Cup final indicated he can be effective, providing dynamism to Liverpool's attacking output when needed.
Chiesa's own struggles have reverberated through the ranks, as he competes with teammates for limited opportunities, but the numbers do not lie. Liverpool's attack has been stymied, with significant contributions from their primary forwards like Jota (three goals) and Diaz, both tallying disappointing results since January 2025. Contrarily, Chiesa has netted twice across seven appearances during the same stretch.
Chiesa's late-game promise should serve as motivation for Slot to reconsider his tactical priorities and trust his substitute more frequently as the games intensify. With only one midweek fixture left for the season, Slot has the schedulable time to integrate Chiesa more fully, potentially altering the course of Liverpool’s campaign.
The aftermath of Liverpool's cup elimination stirs emotions among the club faithful as they face this pivotal period. Reflecting on these changes becomes not only tactical, but philosophical, as supporters weigh the balance of ambition versus the harsh reality of missed opportunities. Chiesa’s future with Liverpool may hinge upon the manager's decisions over the coming weeks—one can only hope Slot seizes the moment, unlocking the winger's full potential.
The upcoming month will be momentous, presenting the chance for Liverpool to secure their Premier League status as champions, with their ambitions of Europe's elite glimmering just out of reach. Should they embrace Chiesa's talent and deploy its vibrancy on the pitch, it may just be the spark Liverpool needs to reclaim their dominant position within English football.
