FEDERICO CHIESA’S nightmare first season on Merseyside has taken another unfortunate turn.
The Italian has played just 18 minutes in the Premier League for Liverpool since joining the Reds from Juventus over the summer.
Chiesa arrived for a cut-price deal worth an initial £10million at the end of August.
The 27-year-old has been plagued by injuries, restricting his playing time in the top flight to a single cameo sub appearance against Bournemouth.
Liverpool fans had been excited to see Chiesa feature on Boxing Day after Chiesa came off the bench in the Carabao Cup tie with Southampton.
But boss Arne Slot has revealed the Italian will not be part of the matchday squad against Leicester due to illness.
Slot explained: “[Chiesa is] sick. Ill.
“Unfortunately for him because he had some minutes against Southampton.
“He was sick in the last two days and today as well so we couldn’t bring him to the game.”
Chiesa arrived from Juve struggling for match fitness.
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And despite his injury issues, Slot is confident he can play an important role down the stretch.
Slot continued: “You see him on the pitch now, it means he’s getting stronger and better.
“He had to adapt for quite a long time. I’ve said so many times, as expected if you miss team training sessions for so long.
“And then you go to a league where the intensity is so high as well, and to a team who plays with a lot of intensity.
“He is getting stronger, but he’s also facing a lot of competition in the right-wing position.”
Liverpool are currently setting the pace at the top of the Premier League.
After their Boxing Day clash with the Foxes, they visit West Ham on Sunday before welcoming Man Utd to Anfield on January 5.
