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

Liverpool fans have taken to social media in frustration after watching Federico Chiesa’s underwhelming display against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round. The Italian winger, who arrived at Anfield with high expectations, struggled to make an impact as the Reds were shockingly eliminated by the Championship’s bottom-placed side.

With a crucial Merseyside derby against Everton looming, Arne Slot made sweeping changes to his squad for this fixture, opting to rest key players like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai. This decision opened the door for fringe players and youngsters to step up, but the gamble ultimately backfired as Liverpool suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat.

Chiesa, who has been battling for full fitness since his summer move, was handed a rare start on the right flank. The expectation was that the 27-year-old would use this opportunity to prove himself, but instead, he put in a performance that left many Liverpool supporters deeply concerned.

From the opening minutes, it was evident that Chiesa was struggling to assert himself. He lacked the explosiveness that once made him a feared attacker, and his inability to get past defenders was glaring. His first touch was heavy, his passing was inconsistent, and his movement off the ball was sluggish.

Fans were quick to voice their concerns online, with many questioning whether injuries had permanently robbed Chiesa of his once blistering pace. One fan tweeted, “Chiesa lost all his pace… it’s sad to see.” Another added, “Bro, what happened to Chiesa? Where did all his speed go?”

A particularly brutal comment read, “Chiesa has about as much pace as me over 20 yards, bless him.” Others pointed out that his diminished speed might explain why Liverpool secured him for just £12 million, a surprisingly low fee for a player of his supposed caliber.

Beyond his pace issues, Chiesa’s overall game seemed off. His decision-making in the final third was poor, and he struggled to link up effectively with teammates. While Liverpool dominated possession, Chiesa failed to provide any real attacking threat, often being dispossessed too easily or making the wrong choice under pressure.

In the second half, Liverpool’s woes deepened when Plymouth were awarded a penalty following a clumsy handball by Harvey Elliott. Ryan Hardie stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher, sending the Home Park crowd into delirium.

As Liverpool chased an equalizer, Slot introduced Darwin Núñez in an attempt to add firepower, but the Reds were met with a resilient and well-organized Plymouth defense. Chiesa was eventually substituted, having failed to make any meaningful contribution.

By the final whistle, Liverpool found themselves on the wrong end of one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in recent history. Plymouth, a side fighting to avoid relegation from the Championship, had successfully knocked out the Premier League leaders.

The defeat raised significant concerns about the depth of Liverpool’s squad, with many pointing fingers at players who failed to step up. Chiesa, in particular, bore the brunt of the criticism, with some fans even questioning why Liverpool signed him in the first place.

One comment summed up the general feeling: “Why did we even sign Chiesa? He’s not the same player he was at Juventus. Looks like his injuries have finished him.” Another added, “We need wingers who can take on defenders and beat them. Chiesa just doesn’t have that anymore.”

While it is too early to completely write off Chiesa, this performance will do little to ease concerns about his long-term role at Liverpool. If he is to justify his place in the squad, he will need to show significant improvement in the coming weeks.

For now, the focus shifts to Liverpool’s Premier League campaign, with a crucial clash against Everton at Goodison Park on the horizon. Slot will be hoping for a much better display from his squad, particularly from players like Chiesa, who have yet to prove their worth in a Liverpool shirt.