Liverpool fans have noticed something different about Federico Chiesa in the latest training photos ahead of their Champions League clash on Tuesday.
Chiesa has had a tough start to life in England after joining Liverpool in the summer, with just two Premier League appearances from the bench to date.
The Italian international has netted for the Reds since joining the club, after recently getting on the scoresheet against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup in January.
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However, Chiesa was snubbed in the starting lineup with Arne Slot opting for 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha on the left, raising questions over his future.
Fans were also left concerned about Slot's comments on the £12.5 million man ahead of the FA Cup clash, with rumours of a potential January exit circulating.
He said: "Not only about Federico in terms of playing time, it's to do with others as well.
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"We will see in the upcoming weeks and months if he's able to help us, as it's going to be even more intense."
Despite this, Liverpool's latest training pictures have given fans hope, with fans noticing the 27-year-old has considerably slimmed down over the winter.
One Reddit user said: "Like a large portion of the squad, Chiesa looks to have slimmed down a lot since we brought him in.
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"I wonder if part of him getting fit/up to speed was to shed a few needless lbs. Either way, I'm still convinced he has a positive part to play this season," he added.
Another joked: "Last week he looked like he hadn't eaten anything ... except donuts and ice cream. Everyone was making fat jokes."
"Hope he gets more playing time," another fan wrote.
Chiesa is expected to be in the squad on Tuesday to face Lille in the Champions League, as Liverpool look to pull away at the top of the league table.
Topics: Federico Chiesa, Transfer News, Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Football
Tom Jenkins