Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa Proves a Point with Southampton Performance

Federico Chiesa Steps Up for Liverpool in Southampton Clash

Liverpool’s narrow 2-1 win over Southampton in the EFL Cup has sparked fresh debate about squad rotation, young talent and, crucially, the role of Federico Chiesa. On the latest episode of the Daily Red podcast, Guy Drinkel delivered an in-depth look at what was, in his words, “a really strange, strange game.”

Despite the uneven performance, one name stood out. As Drinkel put it, “last night he was our best player by a million miles. He really was. He was phenomenal.” That player was Chiesa, who produced two assists, pressed relentlessly, and covered multiple positions in a match that highlighted both promise and problems for Arne Slot’s Liverpool.

Chiesa’s impact against Southampton

Drinkel was clear in his assessment of Chiesa’s contribution. “Two assists, worked his absolute ass off pressing everything, leading the line. Played three different positions. Played on the left, played on the right, played through the middle. He was great.”

Photo: IMAGO

The Italian international has endured a stop-start spell at Anfield since arriving from Juventus, with injuries and selection decisions limiting his influence. Yet performances like this one point to a potential resurgence. Drinkel noted, “He looks fitter, he looks sharper. Sometimes in the brief glimpses we got to see of Chiesa last season he looked like he was running in snow. Whereas last night… he looked very quick-footed, he looked pacier.”

That sharper edge could be key as Liverpool balance Premier League ambitions with cup competitions.

Slot’s treatment and trust

The conversation on Daily Red also circled back to Chiesa’s usage under Arne Slot. Drinkel admitted, “the one asterisk next to Arne Slot is probably the weird treatment of Federico Chiesa.” He recalled last season’s Champions League tie against PSG, where an unfit Cody Gakpo was chosen ahead of the Italian.

This year, though, there are signs of a shift. Chiesa has already scored against Bournemouth and been involved in key moves against Newcastle. Drinkel reflected, “He’s making an impact already… even from the bench.”

The pressing question is whether these cameos will translate into consistent league opportunities. As Drinkel suggested, “it’s the stupid football fan thing to do, but you have one good performance in a cup and now all of a sudden you’re thinking, yeah, just start him against Crystal Palace in the league. Why not?”

A question of rotation

Liverpool’s crowded schedule means Slot must find balance between youth development and established stars. Drinkel argued that Chiesa should not be overlooked: “If we have Gakpo and Chiesa, then Rio can come in for games where we’re in a good spot. That’s fine. That’s great.”

He went further, suggesting that Chiesa may even offer more than some of Liverpool’s regulars: “At this point on September 24th, Chiesa has been better than Gakpo this season.” For a side already top of the league, integrating a rejuvenated Chiesa could provide another dimension.

A player more than a song

Perhaps the most telling line from Drinkel was this: “Last night kind of reminded us that he’s more than a song. He’s an excellent player as well.”

Chiesa’s attitude has been praised just as much as his technical output. Despite being left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad earlier this season, Drinkel highlighted his commitment. “He could have handed a transfer request and went instantly back to Italy on loan. He could have went to Turkey, could have went to Saudi, could have went anywhere. Stays, seemingly never wanted to leave. The fans love him, loves being in Liverpool. May not play the most, but I’m going to try my absolute best to work my way into the manager’s plans.”

For Liverpool supporters, those words encapsulate why Chiesa remains a figure of intrigue and affection. His ability to cover attacking positions, combined with his relentless work rate, may yet make him a decisive player in the months to come.

Conclusion

Liverpool’s victory over Southampton was scrappy, but for Federico Chiesa it might mark a turning point. As Guy Drinkel captured on Daily Red, “what a likeable player, man. And I really do hope he gets a good chunk of minutes because he’s a really good footballer.”

If Slot begins to trust him more, Chiesa could shift from being a fringe option to a vital part of Liverpool’s campaign.