Former Liverpool star raises Mohamed Salah point ahead of Federico Chiesa transfer

A former Liverpool star has raised a valid Mohamed Salah point ahead of Federico Chiesa's proposed transfer from Juventus .

The Italian winger is believed to be closing in on a move to Anfield after the Reds reportedly agreed a £12.5m deal with the Serie A club to sign the 26-year-old, who will become Arne Slot's first official signing of the summer.

Questions have been raised over whether Liverpool actually need Chiesa due to the current forward options already at its disposal, yet the forward is seen as a good addition to the squad as the Reds aim to fight on all fronts this season.

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However, former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchinson believes the Italian could not only struggle to get game time under his belt at Anfield if the move goes through, but also replicate the form shown by Mohamed Salah from the right.

Liverpool already has Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez fighting for the striker role, while Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo are battling it out for a spot on the left. Salah, meanwhile, has no real competition or back-up in his position, so Chiesa is an ideal signing to fill that void.

But when the time comes for Chiesa to step-up and prove his worth in place of the Egyptian, Hutchinson doesn’t think the Juventus man can replicate the 31-year-old's end product.

“When you think of the wide players Liverpool have got, you think if they really need him,” Hutchinson said on ESPN UK’s YouTube channel . "But to stop any noise from appearing over Mo Salah – if he’s linked with Saudi again in January – Chiesa at 26 could play in that position.

"It adds competition for places as Liverpool can afford to rest Salah – it gives them a little bit of balance on the right-hand side. If there’s any noise of Mo Salah leaving, he’s only 26 and can fill in.

"I’m not saying he’s going to get as many goals as Salah but he’s a hard runner who provides energy. Bringing him to the Premier League is only a good thing.”

Chiesa was named in the Team of the Tournament after a scintillating Euro 2020 with Italy three years ago, yet has failed to match those same heights since, providing just 18 goals and 13 assists in 88 appearances for Juventus across three seasons.

While that record isn't horrendous on paper, Liverpool could do with someone who is slightly more clinical than that, especially if they will have the duty of filling in for someone such as Salah - who more than averages those sorts of numbers per season.

But perhaps Chiesa's form has been in large part due to his injury struggles, having suffered a string of muscle injuries after he ruptured his ACL in October 2022. With this in mind, however, Hutchinson has his doubts.

“He’s come back from an ACL injury and strengthened those legs but he’s picked up a lot of muscle injuries," the 53-year-old told ESPN. "You’re getting a top-class player if you keep him fit but the problem is if you’re picking your best XI, he’s not in it.

"Liverpool fans will be pretty excited as he’s a really good squad player. When fit and playing, he’s a really exciting player.”