Federico Chiesa ‘deserves’ Mohamed Salah place as Liverpool told to open talks

Former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole believes Federico Chiesa deserves a run in the team with Mohamed Salah now missing

Arne Slot has been urged to give Federico Chiesa a run in the Liverpool team in place of the absent Mohamed Salah. But the Egyptian has been backed to finish the season strongly at Anfield after reconciling with the Reds boss following his explosive comments earlier this month.

Salah is presently with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations and scored a dramatic late winner in their group opener against Zimbabwe on Monday.

With the competition running until late January, the 33-year-old could miss up to eight games for a Liverpool team already grappling with a host of absentees including Alexander Isak, who suffered a fractured left leg against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

In the first match without Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai started on the right flank but picked up a booking that means he is suspended for Saturday’s visit of rock-bottom Wolves.

And when asked who should now replace Salah, former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole has singled out a player who hasn’t made a Premier League start all season.

“Federico Chiesa probably deserves a run in the team,” said Cole. “This might be his opportunity off that right side if he can keep himself fit.