Chiesa a different proposition this season

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has seen a "totally different" Federico Chiesa from 12 months ago and believes that was reflected in his game-changing contribution off the bench as they opened their Premier League defence with a victory.

The Italy international endured a difficult first season at Anfield as fitness issues restricted him to just 14 appearances, with his only league start coming at Brighton after the title was won.

But he has already made a significant impact after being introduced with just eight minutes remaining against Bournemouth with Liverpool chasing a winning goal having been pegged back from 2-0.

The 27-year-old, a replacement for club-record signing Florian Wirtz, volleyed home in the 88th minute to further cement his status as a cult hero.

With Liverpool's forward options reduced from six last season to four currently, Chiesa could yet have more of a part to play, just a month after it appeared he was destined for an exit.

"I see a totally different Federico now than from large parts of last season," said Slot.

"It is completely normal because he missed out on the whole pre-season and then came into a Premier League rhythm in terms of the amount of games and in terms of intensity.

"If he is more available then he has more chances to impact our results or his playing time. But then it is about him staying as fit as he is at the moment.

"He is in a much better place now and as we can all see when we needed a goal and I looked at the bench I only had him and Rio (Ngumoha), a 16-year-old, as attacking options.

"For me, although Rio did really well in pre-season it was quite a normal choice to bring him in and he delivered."

Chiesa has been joined at Anfield by compatriot Giovanni Leoni (pictured above), an 18-year-old defender who is just starting his career.

The highly-rated centre-back cost €30m and after a week’s adaptation could be included in the squad for Newcastle on Monday.

"He has trained with us three times now I think," said Slot of the Italy Under-19 international.

"If you look at his transfer fee, you can expect that he is already quite grown up for his age – and that’s exactly what I saw.

"He comes in as an 18-year-old just playing with his new team-mates as if he is here for longer. Impressive; if you look at how tall he is, fast, comfortable on the ball.

"There’s a reason why we paid the transfer fee we did, because we see him as a bright prospect.

"It also tells you something about the team. If you come to this club, if you come into this team, you feel at ease from the start because it’s a very good and nice group to start your Liverpool career in."

Hugo Ekitike has made a strong start to his Liverpool career

Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has put his defenders on red alert as they prepare to come up against a man he wanted them to line up alongside this season.

Liverpool will arrive at St James' Park still hoping to lure the Magpies’ star striker Alexander Isak away from Tyneside before the summer transfer window closes, but having already got their hands on Hugo Ekitike, who might have replaced him.

The 23-year-old Frenchman, who completed an €80m switch to Anfield from Eintracht Frankfurt last month, was a long-term target for Newcastle and, having missed out on his signature, they will have to deal with him as they look for a first win of the new Premier League season.

Howe said: "There’s no doubt I really like Hugo and have done for a number of years. He’s got really good qualities and he showed that in his first Premier League game. He had a really good debut against Bournemouth.

"He’s got really good movement, intelligent, good in the air, scores goals, scores off both feet. Our job will be to keep him quiet. He is going to be a threat this year."

Ekitike has already demonstrated his prowess in English football, scoring in both the Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace and last weekend’s 4-2 league victory over Bournemouth.

Eddie Howe (L) still doesn't know if Alexander Isak will play for his side again

He was one of a series of attacking targets identified by the Magpies this summer as they search for a replacement for Callum Wilson and attempt to protect themselves should Isak be sold, but they have also missed out on Joao Pedro to Chelsea and Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United.

Howe has landed Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey and is currently pursuing Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and, with seemingly less chance of success, Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen, but he admits he will be glad to see the back of the window.

He said: "I’ll be pleased when it’s here [the transfer deadline]– pleased if we have what we want.

"Whenever you go through a window, there are ups and downs. It feels like there’s been quite a few downs in this one, but also quite a few positives as well.

"The players we’ve signed are very good players who will add a lot to the squad, a lot in terms of the ability, athleticism, fresh energy I’ve spoken about previously.

"There are big positives for us. Of course, there’s one big challenging situation that’s not resolved. From that side, I can’t wait for the end of the window because we can get back to focusing on the football matches."

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