Report: Whether Federico Chiesa is likely to start for Liverpool against Accrington Stanley on Saturday
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Liverpool have to be wary of a giant killing on Saturday as they face Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup.
Currently sitting down near the bottom of League Two, it is a big ask for Accrington to come to Anfield and get anything.
Nevertheless, this is what the FA Cup is all about, and the Lancashire based minnows will be dreaming of beating a slightly out of form Liverpool side.
After his team put in a leggy performance and lost to Tottenham on Wednesday night, it will be fascinating to see what kind of XI Arne Slot decides to put out.
One man who will be desperately hoping for some game time is Federico Chiesa.
Chiesa was on the bench once again at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but was not given a single minute on the pitch. And as Saturday looms into focus, it has been revealed whether the Italian will have better luck this weekend.
Federico Chiesa set for FA Cup start
Following the opening of the January transfer window, Chiesa’s Liverpool future has looked in doubt.
However, while it is not yet completely certain that he will remain at Anfield, the 27-year-old’s agent has since spoken out to suggest that that will be the case.
If he keeps him around, though, Slot really needs to start using his No.14.
And according to a report from The Athletic, the Liverpool head coach is likely to finally give Chiesa just his second start of the season on Saturday.
READ MORE: Frank Lebeouf says Arne Slot made a big error by starting two Liverpool players against Tottenham
They claim that the Italy international ‘should’ be named in the starting XI for the cup tie.
It’s also suggested that Chiesa is likely to be joined in the Liverpool attack by Darwin Nunez, as the Reds aim to blow Accrington away.
Who else will play for Liverpool?
As well as Chiesa and Nunez, The Athletic touch on who else could be involved for the Reds on Saturday.
They suggest that it would be a ‘surprise’ if any of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo or Luis Diaz are even in the matchday squad.
As a result, there could reportedly be chances for Liverpool academy players like Jayden Danns, James McConnell and Trey Nyoni.
Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott is mentioned as as more senior player who could be involved, while Wataru Endo is said to be likely to play as a makeshift centre-back once again.
Finally, young defender Amara Nallo could reportedly be given his senior Liverpool debut.
