‘It is normal’ - Newcastle United snubbed chance to sign ‘top’ Champions League winger for just £10m

The Italian was given his first start since joining the Reds for a meagre £10million, making an instant impression by setting up Diogo Jota in a comeback victory. Newcastle United had been linked with Chiesa - a Euros winner with Italy in 2021 - before he headed to Merseyside.

The former Juventus man had missed 84 games in the three seasons since winning the Euros, largely due to a serious knee injury. Fitness concerns repelled interest from other clubs but, at 26, Liverpool took a punt on the winger.

Many Toon fans questioned why Newcastle did not try and hijack the deal given their problems out wide. Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon are battling out for the left-wing spot but the Magpies remain short on the opposite flank.

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Chiesa played 58 minutes as a right-winger before being replaced by Mohamed Salah. Speaking post-match, Reds boss Slot was “pleased” by a full-debut performance that gave the Toon hierarchy plenty of food for thought.

"I was pleased to see he could already play 60 minutes because, I think I said last press conference, he's hardly played any minutes in the last three or four months,” Slot said. “For him, it's important to get, apart from getting match fitness, playing minutes and that's what he got today. 

“He assisted, although it was a shot on target that was promoted by Diogo to a goal. He worked really hard. I think it is normal that he's not already at the top of his ability. 

“He has to get used to the club, his teammates (and) adjust to the playing style. But it was very good to see how fit he already is, so we can use him if we need him."