New Liverpool signing shines on full debut: Stats behind Federico Chiesa's first start after Carabao Cup assist

As clubs deploy players on the fringes of their first-team squad across the Carabao Cup, Liverpool gave a player working his way back to full fitness a first chance to shine, and he did just that.

After appearing off the bench for 18 minutes against Bournemouth on the weekend, new Italian signing Federico Chiesa was handed his first start for Liverpool against West Ham in the domestic competition on Wednesday.

With the club careful to build the oft-injured Chiesa back to full 90-minute fitness after arriving with a knock, the 26-year-old was given 59 minutes to influence the game, and he did just that, providing a flubbed shot an assist to Diogo Jota to bring Liverpool back level midway through the first half.

Having arrived at Liverpool near the end of the summer window for a paltry €12 million ($13.4m / £10.3m), Chiesa figures to be an important squad player for the Reds, helping hand Mohamed Salah important rest while himself providing key minutes on the pitch.

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Federico Chiesa picks up assist on first Liverpool start

The most notable moment for Federico Chiesa on his first Liverpool start was his assist to Diogo Jota for the game's opening goal.

It was, in truth, probably intended as a shot by Chiesa, who whipped his leg at the ball to attempt an audacious volley from outside the top of the penalty area. The Italian mis-hit the ball and drove it straight into the ground, causing the ball to pop up into the air as it headed on frame.

Right in the path was Jota who rose above his defender and headed the ball past Lukas Fabianski and into the net for a 25th-minute equalizer, just four minutes after West Ham had gone in front.

Watch Federico Chiesa's assist to Diogo Jota in USA:

Federico Chiesa picks up an acrobatic assist in his first start for Liverpool as Diogo Jota nods home from close range 💥 pic.twitter.com/ccf0x0subW

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 25, 2024

Federico Chiesa stats on full Liverpool debut vs. West Ham in EFL Cup

In a back-and-forth game, no Liverpool forward was afforded an overwhelming volume of possession while Chiesa was on the field, but he made the most of his 22 touches across an hour of action.

Chiesa created two chances, including his assist, while completing nine of his 11 passes, delivering an accurate cross, and winning half of his four duels.

His most impressive moment was a nutmeg of Vladimir Coufal in the 40th minute where he threaded the ball through the legs of the West Ham midfielder before using Kostas Tsimikas as a shield to get clear of not one but two Hammers defenders along the end line.