Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a negative update on the fitness of Federico Chiesa ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Reds appeared to have pulled off one of the bargains of the summer when they signed the Euro 2020 winner for a little over £10m from Juventus, whose new head coach Thiago Motta had frozen him out of the squad.
Chiesa's time in Turin was blighted by injury problems, though, and the start to his Liverpool career has been no different, as he has been restricted to just 78 minutes from three appearances in all competitions.
The Italy international made his debut as a late substitute against AC Milan in the Champions League in September, before also coming off the bench against Bournemouth for his Premier League baptism a few days later.
Chiesa's first start and first goal contribution then arrived against West Ham United in the EFL Cup, as he set up Diogo Jota's equaliser in that 5-1 third-round hammering on September 25, but he has not played a single minute for Arne Slot's side since.
Slot confirms Chiesa will not return before international break
© Imago
No specific details about Chiesa's condition have been released, with Slot simply stating that the 27-year-old has been in and out of training due to fitness concerns and niggling injuries over the past few weeks.
Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's showdown with Brighton, Slot confirmed that Chiesa will not be back this side of the international break, although he is keeping his fingers crossed that he will return at some point before the end of the month.
"Chiesa is not back before the international break, but there is only a week to go. We are hoping he can do things again during the international break and that he can join us afterwards," the Reds boss said at his pre-game press conference.
The former Fiorentina winger will therefore be absent for the visit of Brighton this weekend, as well as Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen and the visit of Aston Villa to Anfield on November 9.
However, should Chiesa enjoy an uninterrupted recuperation period with no complications over the international break, a return can be provisionally pencilled in for Southampton (November 24) or Real Madrid (November 27).
How are Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota progressing?
© Imago
Chiesa is expected to be one of four Liverpool absentees for the visit of the Seagulls this weekend, as Harvey Elliott (foot), Alisson Becker (hamstring) and Jota (abdominal) are also in the recovery phase.
Asked specifically about Jota and Alisson's comeback dates, Slot admitted that he could not say for sure when the duo would return to action, but he reiterated that neither would be back before the two-week hiatus.
"I think I said it already a few times that it is always difficult to tell you exactly when they are ready because especially the last phase of the recovery can always be a few days extra or less. The fact is that they are not there before the international break and let's see if they can join us after," Slot added.
Liverpool welcome Brighton to Anfield on the back of their 3-2 EFL Cup last-16 victory over the Seagulls on Wednesday evening, and they have a one-point gap to make up to Manchester City at the top of the Premier League rankings.
