Isak and Wirtz 'struggles' OPEN door to forward after transfer U-turn

Liverpool spent £450m on new talent during the summer transfer window.

Sporting director Richard Hughes oversaw a radical overhaul of the playing staff - which included twice breaking the British transfer record.

Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen on a deal that could eventually be worth £116m. And Alexander Isak followed - moving from Newcastle for a new record fee of £125m.

It’s fair to say head coach Arne Slot is still waiting to see the best from his all-star attacking duo.

Isak and Wirtz not shining yet

Hugo Ekitike hit the ground running but Isak has scored only once in six outings while Wirtz awaits his first goal or assist.

Those difficulties are made all the more apparent considering Liverpool have LOST their last three games in succession.

Defeats to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea have come one after the other - leaving Liverpool reeling heading into the October international window.

No doubt the club will be hoping business picks up - starting this weekend when Manchester United visit Anfield in the Premier League.

Isak and Wirtz will have to start firing on all cylinders soon - but in the meantime their form has opened the door to another Reds attacker.

Chiesa set for increased role

Arne Slot did not pick Federico Chiesa in his Champions League squad for the league phase - with the Italian frozen out while Giovanni Leoni was included.

The 27-year-old has however since been added to that roster - fighting his way back into contention from an outsider’s position over the summer.

Many expected Chiesa to return to Serie A following a difficult first season but the £12.5m signing from Juventus has stayed. And the winger is not expected to leave in January either - as Arne Slot is going to count on Chiesa to play an increasingly important role.

Liverpool will NOT sell Chiesa

That’s according to a report in Football Insider - which claims the Premier League champions have performed a transfer U-turn over Chiesa.

“The attacker is now set to stay with the Reds, after becoming a bigger part of Arne Slot’s side,” the report reads.

“Isak and Wirtz have struggled to adapt to life at Anfield, and it has given the Italian winger a chance to impress.”

Chiesa has played barely an hour’s worth of football in total for the Reds during the top-flight campaign this season. Nonetheless he has already scored twice - against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.

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