Salah's AFCON Return Could Seal Chiesa's Anfield Exit Before Deadline

Liverpool may be forced into a last-gasp decision on Federico Chiesa's future now that Mohamed Salah has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, where the Egyptian accumulated four goals and an assist in six matches as Egypt finished fourth.

The 33-year-old has some ground to make up following his December outburst, when he claimed the club had "thrown him under the bus." A subsequent apology saw him reinstated for the Brighton fixture before heading to the tournament, though his status as an automatic starter remains uncertain under Arne Slot.

Chiesa's prospects look increasingly bleak. The Italian has managed just one Premier League start—against Wolves on December 27—with substitute appearances providing the extent of his involvement otherwise. Supporters are left scratching their heads as to why Slot has afforded him so little opportunity, particularly given the threadbare nature of Liverpool's attacking options.

The failure to recruit fresh attacking talent this month compounds the puzzle. Slot was expected to bring in competition for Salah and plan for his eventual succession, yet the transfer window has remained conspicuously quiet on the inbound front.

Now, according to former Everton, Aston Villa and Aberdeen executive Keith Wyness, Salah's return could trigger Chiesa's departure. Speaking to Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness suggested the winger "could move" before the deadline closes, with any deal likely materialising as a "last-minute, last-day" transaction dependent on Salah's own circumstances.

"If he comes back after AFCON and he's healthy, then I think Chiesa could move," Wyness explained. "I've been quite impressed with him, but I'm still surprised he hasn't been able to find his place in the squad – for whatever reason Slot doesn't seem to go for him."

Yet offloading Chiesa without a replacement would represent a reckless gamble. The club's decision to pass on Antoine Semenyo already looks questionable, and shipping out another forward body would stretch an already stretched squad to breaking point. With Alexander Isak sidelined for the season, Hugo Ekitike inconsistent, and Cody Gakpo struggling to convince, Liverpool's Champions League ambitions could suffer considerably if Slot continues to operate with insufficient firepower.

The arithmetic is straightforward: Liverpool needs to add depth to its attack, not reduce it.