Liverpool head coach Arne Slot believes Federico Chiesa has to meet the challenge posed by the forwards currently ahead of him and show his worth to the side in the second half of the season.

The Italian is set for only his fifth appearance of the campaign, having started just once and not played in the Premier League since September, in the FA Cup third round tie at home to Accrington.

Chiesa, who has been on the bench for five of the last seven games, has struggled from not having a pre-season with Juventus ahead of his £10 million move to Anfield in late August.

“It’s not only been difficult for him in terms of match fitness, it’s also that he has to compete with the likes of Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah,” said Slot.

“Everybody here knows the numbers Mo Salah brings in. There’s not many times a reason to take him out during a game or before a game.

“It’s not only about Federico when we are talking about him being limited in his playing time. It’s also about the others.

“But in terms of Federico it definitely has to do with the way he came in, the rest were already training a lot and we had to bring him up in terms of match fitness.

“It’s a combination of reasons why he didn’t play that much yet but let’s wait and see in the upcoming weeks and months if he’s able to help us because the second half of the season is even more important than the first.”