Federico Chiesa admitted he enjoyed his role in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton but stressed that the team must improve if they are to go deep in the competition.
The Italian winger set up both goals in a 2-1 victory at Anfield on Tuesday night. His clever pass allowed Alexander Isak to net his first goal for the Reds, before Chiesa laid on the late winner for Hugo Ekitike after Shea Charles had pulled Southampton level in the 76th minute.
“I did enjoy playing. I always enjoy playing at Anfield and for Liverpool,” Chiesa told Liverpoolfc.com after being named Carlsberg Player of the Match. “But I have to say it wasn’t a great performance by the team. We should have been more concentrated since the start of the game.
“But at the end we won and that’s what we wanted. That’s why I think in the first half we should have shown more focus, concentration on the game – because we want to win this competition.”
Arne Slot made 11 changes to his starting line-up for the tie, handing opportunities to fringe players and youngsters. Among them was Giovani Leoni, who made his debut after arriving from Parma last month.
The 18-year-old centre-back impressed with composure and maturity before an awkward injury forced him off after 81 minutes. Chiesa, his fellow Italian, was quick to praise the teenager.
“Unfortunately I’m sorry for Giovani Leoni for what has happened to him,” Chiesa said. “We don’t know yet what happened to him but I hope that it is nothing bad because he has a bright future ahead.
“He is a fantastic guy and a great footballer. He’s just 18. I hope it’s nothing bad but we will see. I saw him last year in Serie A and he already showed calmness on the ball and then a great defensive mind – an Italian defensive mind as the old defenders back in the day! I hope it’s actually nothing.”
The Premier League Champions now march on to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, with Slot’s side still chasing silverware on all fronts.
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