Arne Slot responds to Federico Chiesa transfer talk after 'up and down' Liverpool start

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has denied any suggestions Federico Chiesa could leave the club on loan in January.

The Italian international was the club’s only major summer signing but has struggled since joining from Juventus, making only three appearances thus far.

While Slot was impressed with the 27-year-old’s impact during the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over West Ham in September, he recently admitted he felt “sorry” for the forward given the stop-start nature to his career on Merseyside.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's trip to Brighton in the Carabao Cup, the Reds boss ruled the Italy star out of the game, describing his attempts to get back up to full fitness as “sometimes up and down a bit”.

“It's difficult to say, he's sometimes up and down a bit. He trains a few days then goes out again. I don't want to put days or weeks on it,” he said.

“We just want him to be in the best possible shape. No pressure on him.”

Chiesa missed the entirety of pre-season after a stand-off with Juventus and Slot believes the player will get back up to speed, denying claims that he could be sent on loan in January.

“It hasn't gone through my mind at all,” said Slot when asked about the prospect of a loan move.

“First is to get him fit. He missed pre-season and in pre-season he was in low intensity sessions as he was only training with three or four players. To go to a high intensity league is difficult for every player.

“It hasn't been perfect yet so we are trying to find the right way to build him up and I'm fully confident that will happen.”