Arne Slot forced into playing 'special' Liverpool star

Liverpool have found themselves in a bit of a pickle over the last couple of days.

Their form across all competitions has been non-existent over the last few weeks and unless Arne Slot can figure out how to get his team back to their best, some serious questions will need to be asked.

Several members of the Reds' first-team squad have been left on the bench for extended periods this term with Mohamed Salah even being put there in Liverpool's last three games.

This caused a massive outburst from the Egyptian King where he said that there was no relationship between him and Slot whatsoever.

Rumours have since been shared about his future with the attacker even alluding to Liverpool's upcoming game against Brighton being his last for the club.

For most of the Reds' team, this is bad news but for one player, it could force Slot's hand into starting him.

Arne Slot will be forced into starting Federico Chiesa if Mohamed Salah exits in January

Dominik Szoboszlai may have been the one chosen to start in Salah's place over the last couple of weeks but since he's Liverpool's best midfielder, Slot can't continue playing him there for the rest of the season.

Rumours have started to emerge about Antoine Semenyo making a January move but since Liverpool already have Federico Chiesa among their ranks, it's hard to see why the Italian would continue to be looked over.

For most of Chiesa's time in L4 he's been overlooked by Slot but with Salah potentially dropping out of the equation, he could have a free run to become Liverpool's starting right-winger.

Salah may have thought he was doing himself a favour by speaking out about the way he's been treated by his current manager but in reality, it feels like he may have just shot himself in the foot.

Federico Chiesa must take any opportunity given to him at Liverpool

On the odd occasion that Chiesa has been handed an appearance by Slot, he's always seemed to make the most of it.

Granted, there have been times when he's done nothing since coming on but more often than not, he's been the difference maker in one way or another.

For example, when he was brought on against Sunderland last week, his last-ditch tackle on Wilson Isidor was the only reason the Reds earned any points from that game.

Without Chiesa tracking back from the Black Cats' box, the striker would have been through on goal and in a one-v-one against Alisson.

He's also contributed in attack and, while Chiesa may not be as clinical as someone such as Salah, his blistering pace and his ability to create something out of nothing has often been put on show.

For now, it feels like the Egyptian King has hindered his chances of starting for Liverpool any time soon with his comments.

But, if he and Slot can work things out and the Egyptian can get back to his best, it could be the best thing he's ever done for himself and the Anfield outfit.

However, if that ship has already sailed, then the fact that Alisson dubbed Chiesa a "special" player will comfort fans as they're likely to be in safe hands no matter what happens.