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Liverpool comfortably put Newcastle United to the sword on Wednesday to move 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Reds completed their crazy schedule of five matches in 15 days by taking another step towards being named champions in May.
It was a good night for Liverpool, who never looked in danger of dropping points against Newcastle at Anfield.
Dominik Szoboszlai stood out once again, while Mohamed Salah added to his assists tally as he chases the Premier League record for a season.
With Anfield rocking and the Reds playing some sumptuous stuff, there was little reason to complain for anyone associated with Liverpool.
Nevertheless, it’s worth to spare a thought for Federico Chiesa who once again remained rooted to the Liverpool bench.
And after failing to give Chiesa game time for a fifth match in succession, Arne Slot was keen to make a point about the Italian at full-time.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Chiesa has had a woeful season with Liverpool.
With 10 Premier League games to go, the 27-year-old has made just three appearances in the competition.
That trio of games amounts to just 25 minutes on the pitch for Chiesa, who simply has not earned the trust of Slot.
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He has seen more action in the cup competitions, though, and played 90 minutes during the disappointing FA Cup defeat against Plymouth earlier this month.
And speaking to the press after the Newcastle win, Slot suggested that if Liverpool had made it through to the next round, Chiesa would almost certainly have been playing.
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“I’m still a bit disappointed that we don’t play on the weekend,” said the Liverpool head coach when asked about keeping his squad ‘fresh.’
“Because, of course, Mo [Salah] wouldn’t have played, of course Virgil [van Dijk] wouldn’t have played but it would have been an ideal moment for the likes of Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Federico Chiesa and all the others to get some playing time as well to keep them ready for the end phase of the season.
“So, unfortunately we’re out but that also means that the players have two days off now and then from Saturday onwards we fully focus on Paris Saint-Germain.”
Clearly, with Liverpool so far clear at the top of the Premier League table, there can be little to grumble about for fans this season.
However, Slot’s treatment of the likes of Chiesa and Elliott in particular has been justifiable cause for frustration.
Chiesa was the Dutch coach’s only signing last summer.
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