Liverpool manager Arne Slot has strongly hinted that summer signing Federico Chiesa could make his debut for the club in Tuesday’s Champions League clash with AC Milan.

Despite a pivotal role in Italy winning Euro 2020 just three years ago, Chiesa arrived for an initial £10m from Juventus on transfer deadline day. But the winger was absent from the matchday squad altogether against Nottingham Forest over the weekend when fans would have expected to see him.

Chiesa’s lack of action and training since Italy were knocked out of Euro 2024 in June played a part in that, with Slot approaching his fitness and match readiness with a degree of caution.

But supporters had reason to be optimistic about a debut this week when the player’s name was part of a 23-strong travelling squad, with Slot since discussing his intentions for Chiesa in Milan.

The Dutch coach has ruled out a start, but an appearance off the bench is considered possible.

“He is, for the first time, in our [squad]. And since I said it’s the first time he’s in our team selection, it would be a big surprise for him and for everyone if he would start,” Slot explained.

“So I don’t think you should expect that he starts but he can make a few minutes for the first time if we need him. That is something we will see.

“Don’t expect him to be there in the starting lineup because he was training on his own with Juve for a long time, now with us for a few weeks, had some training time. It is too early for him to play 90 [minutes] but hopefully he can make his first minutes in the upcoming fixtures.”

Even if he does get on the San Siro pitch, Chiesa could make his home Liverpool debut for the Premier League visit of Bournemouth on Saturday. Anfield already holds some significance in the Chiesa family as father Enrico scored there for Italy against Czech Republic during Euro ’96.

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