Injury opens door to forgotten £12m forward

Liverpool’s injury troubles up top are intensifying.

Already without Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak for the visit to Brighton on Saturday Arne Slot lost Hugo Ekitike in the opening exchange.

The Liverpool head coach will be grateful that it’s international week - as he should have that trio back to fitness once the club game recommences.

Despite the loss of THREE forwards there was still no place for Federico Chiesa at the Amex. Dominik Szoboszlai started wide on the right in the absence of Salah while Curtis Jones was summoned when Ekitike went off.

Chiesa was left kicking his heels amid the changes but he does look set to benefit from at least one injury.

Zaccagni injury opens door for Chiesa

The Italian winger was the surprise inclusion from Gennaro Gattuso in his Azzurri squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland.

Eyebrows have been raised against the 28-year-old being brought back in from the international wilderness - particularly given his lack of game time at club level.

But Corriere della Sera has revealed that Gattuso was left with no other option owing to the injury suffered by Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni last week.

“The Italian is far from Euro 2024 and had never made himself available to Rino, who has always supported and supported him, due to a series of personal problems and because, having played so little in Liverpool, he struggled to find his fitness,” the report reads.

“But now, with Zaccagni's injury, there's a need, and the former Juventus player hasn't backed out.”

Unexpected chance for Chiesa

Chiesa has earned 51 caps for the national team - winning the European Championship in 2021. But he hasn’t featured at all under Gattuso - last appearing for la Nazionale at Euro 2024.

He has an unexpected chance to kickstart his season in the upcoming few days and can hopefully bring back some decent form to his club - having signed for Liverpool for Juventus back in 2024 for a £12m fee.

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