Federico Chiesa has spoken at length about the reaction after defeat at Brentford, why he is pleased with his contribution this season and his message to Liverpool fans
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
As the Brentford supporters celebrated claiming the notable scalp of the Premier League champions on Saturday evening, the scene inside the away dressing room couldn’t have been any more different. With the cheers and chants echoing in the distance, Liverpool’s disgruntled and defeated players sat in stony silence after slumping to a fourth successive Premier League defeat.
Just days after an impromptu squad-only meeting called by skipper Virgil van Dijk helped spark new life into a flailing season with a Champions League romp at Eintracht Frankfurt, this time there was no desire for any great call to arms.
“No-one was speaking, because afterwards everyone knows,” said Federico Chiesa. “Sometimes you don’t have to speak about the situation. You know what’s going on.
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“So no-one spoke because we have to think about what we can do better. Usually when we are in this situation, the first thing that comes to your mind is to give more, train harder.
“It was good that after the game we didn’t talk because it’s a sign that everyone wants to change. Everyone wants to change the situation.”
The hush didn’t last long, the Liverpool squad thrashing out exactly what is continuing to go wrong on the long journey back to Merseyside.
“Afterwards we went to the bus and then we started to talk about the situation and everyone wants to turn things around,” said Chiesa. “That’s the main goal and the first thing is that we don’t have to blame anything or anyone.
“It’s many reasons and there’s not just one thing. We don’t and I personally don’t care if it’s this or that that is causing us not to win. For me the most important thing is to work harder and then try to get the win.
“I always think positive and we have the quality and the players to bounce back and we have a fantastic manager, so I don’t see any trouble. I hope there’s not going to be any trouble in the future.
“At the beginning of the season we were winning and no-one was questioning this and that and whatever, so just we have to win because it’s Liverpool.”
The task doesn’t get any easier on Wednesday evening as Liverpool aim to avoid a sixth defeat in seven and a worst such run in 16 years when they host a League Cup fourth round tie against Crystal Palace, who have already beaten the Reds twice this season.
Brentford were the latest side to profit from Liverpool’s very public struggle to defend set-pieces and long balls, but Chiesa, who is likely to start with Slot poised to rotate his resources, has no concerns.
“We have players that are world class and that can be put in any situation and will perform,” he said. “So I don’t see any problem.
“If Crystal Palace wants to play long ball and long throw-ins, they are more than welcome to do so, because we’re going to answer them with high intensity and winning duels, and trying to win.
“I don’t know if you say this in English, but in Italy we say, ‘winning, brings winning’. So we want to win tomorrow. That’s it.”
Having struggled during his debut season at Liverpool, Chiesa already has two goals and three assists in nine outings this term, and laid on both Liverpool strikes in their 2-1 win over Southampton in the last round.
“At the moment I’m happy with what I’m doing,” he said. “I’m not happy with what the situation is like for the team because we’re not winning, but, personally, I think I’m giving a lot to the team, to the fans and I want to keep doing that in order to win in the future.
“That’s the main reason I’m doing this. Obviously, I want to stay here and I want to win for Liverpool again.
“I want to play good. That’s my main goal, then the coach is going to decide whether I’m starting or not. But if I keep on playing well, then, of course, I’m going to have more minutes. That’s because the coach sees that. He showed that to me because I’ve been playing better.
“Last year I wasn’t fit enough. I wasn’t mentally ready and I didn’t play. I was totally okay with it because I wasn’t up to speed with the other lads.
“This year, I felt as soon as we started I felt better physically and mentally. I have played more and I still need to play more to reach the level. I was playing a lot when I won the Euros (in 2021).
“I’m a different player now, but I like where I’m going and I like the fact I have improved in many aspects of my game, apart from the fact I have lost a bit of speed.”
If a catchy chant more than consistent contributions has made him popular among supporters, Chiesa, now aged 28 and with several international tournaments under his belt, believes his experience can help the raft of new younger signings as Slot’s side look to regain their form.
“First of all, I’m honoured to have such big support from the fans, because we’re talking about Liverpool fans,” he said. “Playing for Liverpool is an honour, and having this kind of support is amazing.
“So, yeah, I do feel that I can give a bit of leadership on the pitch, because I’m 28 and we have a lot of players that are around 24, or like Florian (Wirtz) just 22.
“I can help the team by being on the pitch and giving them some leadership. Of course, then we have Virgil, we have Mo (Salah), but I think for the games that I have played in my past, I can bring that (experience) to our game.”