‘Ex-player in legends charity game’ – Federico Chiesa savaged in Jadon Sancho & Raheem Sterling comparisons after shocking performance in Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat at Plymouth

The Italy international, who helped his country to European Championship glory in 2021, moved to Anfield from Juventus as part of a cut-price transfer in the summer of 2024. Arne Slot hoped to rekindle a lost spark in the winger despite questions being asked of his injury record.

Chiesa has struggled to make an impact in England, with the 27-year-old yet to start a Premier League game. He was included from the off in the cup clash at Home Park, but looked a shadow of his former self throughout a shock 1-0 defeat for the Reds.

It did not take fans of various clubs, including Liverpool, long to tear into Chiesa on the back of his abject showing in Devon.

@adma23 said: “Chiesa looks like an ex player playing in a legends charity game.” @Jackobrfc999 added: “I'm actually a fan but this Chiesa performance is possibly the worst I've ever seen from a Liverpool player.”

@M1878D_ hit out with: “Chiesa has got to be the biggest fraud ever.” @TheFergusonWay went on to say: “How did Liverpool spend just €15m on Chiesa and still got scammed?”

In unfortunate comparisons to other flops, @AmorimBalll_ said: “Chiesa is worse than Sancho. I didn’t think that was possible.”

@allthatyouget added: “Chiesa is worse than Sterling, someone always has it worse than you”, and @_callumfowler said: “Chiesa wouldn’t get a game for Plymouth that guy stinks.”

Chiesa saw out the winter transfer window on Merseyside, despite seeing a return to Serie A speculated on, but will face more uncomfortable questions heading towards the summer as Liverpool fail to bring the best out of him.