Liverpool fans have reached a very sad conclusion about Federico Chiesa after watching his performance against Plymouth

Liverpool fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment with Federico Chiesa following his underwhelming display against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup. The Italian winger, once known for his blistering pace and direct attacking play, struggled to make an impact as the Reds were knocked out of the competition in shocking fashion.

Arne Slot’s men traveled to Home Park on Sunday afternoon for their fourth-round tie against the Championship’s bottom side. With a crucial Merseyside derby against Everton looming, Slot opted to rest several key players, including Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai. This decision handed opportunities to the squad’s fringe players, including Chiesa, who started on the right side of Liverpool’s attack.

Despite the chance to impress, Chiesa’s performance was far from convincing. The 27-year-old, who joined Liverpool in the summer, has struggled to hit top form following a series of injury setbacks. Against Plymouth, he looked far from the electric winger that once terrorized defenses in Serie A and the European Championship.

Throughout the first half, Chiesa found it difficult to impose himself on the game. His dribbling, once his strongest attribute, seemed less sharp, and his acceleration over short distances appeared to be lacking. Liverpool fans, hoping to see glimpses of the player they once admired, were left frustrated as he failed to make a significant impact.

Reacting on social media, several supporters highlighted a concerning aspect of Chiesa’s game—his apparent loss of pace. One fan lamented, “Chiesa lost all his pace…” while another questioned, “Bro, what happened to Chiesa’s pace? Where did it all go?”

A particularly brutal comment read, “Chiesa got about as much pace as me over 20 yards, bless him.” The sentiment was echoed by many others, with one fan adding, “You can see why Chiesa was only £12m despite being only 27. His pace is completely gone from those injuries. Sad to see.”

For a player whose game heavily relied on speed and dynamism, such observations are deeply worrying. Injuries have undeniably taken a toll on Chiesa, and the explosive bursts of acceleration that once defined his playstyle now seem to be a thing of the past. His inability to beat defenders one-on-one or stretch the opposition’s backline has raised concerns about his long-term viability in Liverpool’s system.

Liverpool’s struggles against Plymouth were not solely down to Chiesa’s shortcomings. The entire team failed to break down a well-drilled Plymouth side, and frustration grew as the game progressed. The situation worsened in the second half when Harvey Elliott was penalized for a handball inside the box. Ryan Hardie stepped up to convert the penalty, putting the underdogs ahead in the 53rd minute.

Despite Liverpool’s relentless attempts to find an equalizer, Plymouth stood firm, defending with determination and resilience. The Reds lacked creativity in the final third, and their inability to carve out clear-cut chances ultimately cost them. Chiesa, expected to provide an attacking spark, faded further as the match wore on, leading to further disappointment among fans.

The final whistle confirmed one of the biggest shocks of the FA Cup season. Liverpool, the Premier League leaders, had been dumped out by a struggling Championship side. For Chiesa, the game only deepened the uncertainty surrounding his role at the club. His form has been a subject of debate since his arrival, and performances like this will do little to convince fans that he can be a key player for the team moving forward.

Some supporters have even started questioning Liverpool’s decision to sign him in the first place. One fan bluntly asked, “Why did we even sign him?” while another remarked, “I really wanted this move to work, but Chiesa looks like a shadow of the player he used to be.”

The Italian’s situation is a far cry from his peak years at Juventus and the Italian national team. Once hailed as one of Europe’s brightest attacking talents, his career trajectory has been hampered by persistent injuries, and Liverpool’s high-intensity playing style may not be the ideal environment for him to rediscover his best form.

However, it is still early in his Liverpool career, and there is hope that he can gradually regain confidence and sharpness. Recovering lost pace is difficult, but adapting his game to compensate for it could be the key to reviving his career. Arne Slot and his coaching staff will need to find a way to maximize Chiesa’s strengths while mitigating his weaknesses.

With the FA Cup campaign now over, Liverpool must quickly shift focus back to the Premier League. A massive challenge awaits as they take on arch-rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. Slot will likely restore his first-choice lineup, and Chiesa may find himself back on the bench after his underwhelming outing.

For Liverpool fans, the hope remains that Chiesa can prove them wrong. But as it stands, the excitement that once surrounded his arrival has turned into serious concern. If he fails to improve in the coming months, Liverpool may be forced to make a tough decision regarding his future.