‘Is This a Joke?!’ – Federico Chiesa Wins Liverpool Player of the Month as Fans Slam Arne Slot for Benching “Best Player”

The Italian forward’s September award has sparked both celebration and fury among Liverpool fans — reigniting debates about Arne Slot’s team selections and tactics.

Federico Chiesa Crowned Player of the Month — from the Bench

When Federico Chiesa arrived at Liverpool, supporters hoped the former Juventus man would bring the same electric energy he showed in Serie A and with the Italian national team. What they perhaps didn’t expect was that he’d become the club’s Player of the Month — without even starting a single Premier League match.

That’s exactly what’s happened. Chiesa has been named Liverpool’s Standard Chartered Men’s Player of the Month for September, earning 34 percent of the fan vote in the club’s official poll. Alisson Becker and Ryan Gravenberch shared second with 18 percent apiece, but the Italian’s limited minutes and high impact clearly struck a chord with supporters.

The irony isn’t lost on anyone. One of Liverpool’s most popular players has been spending most of his time on the bench.

Despite starting only once — in a Carabao Cup victory over Southampton — Chiesa produced three goal involvements in just three appearances. His dynamic cameos, brimming with energy and creativity, have made him a crowd favourite even as his manager keeps him out of the starting XI.

Chiesa’s Cameo Brilliance

If there’s one thing that defines Chiesa, it’s his ability to inject chaos in all the right ways.

During Liverpool’s 2–1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton, he was unstoppable down the flank, assisting Alexander Isak’s goal and earning the Player of the Match award. It was a reminder of the explosiveness that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after wingers.

A few days later, in a frustrating 2–1 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace, Chiesa came off the bench to score Liverpool’s lone goal — a stunning finish that briefly brought the Reds back into the contest. The loss dulled the moment, but it was impossible to ignore how much brighter the team looked once he entered the pitch.

That pattern has continued: when Chiesa plays, Liverpool look alive. When he doesn’t, they often seem predictable.

“I’d Rather Win Games” — Chiesa’s Humble Reaction

Collecting his award at the AXA Training Centre, Chiesa was gracious but grounded — focusing more on results than recognition.

“Of course, I’m glad I won this prize,” he said. “Thank you to the fans for the support and for voting for me. I’d rather not get it in the future and win more games. But thank you again.

“The support has always been amazing. I try to give my best on the pitch for the fans and for Liverpool. I love that the fans appreciate what I’m doing.”

That humility only endeared him further to supporters who already see him as the club’s most hard-working player. But it also raised a more pressing question — if Chiesa is performing this well in small bursts, why isn’t he starting?

The Fan Backlash: “Bench Player Wins PotM — That Says It All”

Liverpool fans didn’t hold back online.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the announcement sparked equal parts pride and frustration.

@luciruoc wrote: “Is this a joke?! Fede is brilliant, but how can you win PotM being a bench player who rarely gets more than 15 minutes?”

@MartinEra_ added: “Spent £500 million and £13 million Chiesa is your best player.”

Another fan, @tsk58cc, put it bluntly: “Imagine — bench player winning it. Shows how poor the team has been and also strange that Fede doesn’t get more starts.”

Others chose humour over anger. @briggsisgreat joked: “Man’s been running like he’s got rent due every week — give that guy two trophies, one for performance and one for pure chaos energy.”

But perhaps the most telling response came from @Akmathurx: “Player of the Month from the bench. I can’t believe he’s still not starting any games. So happy for him, our most hardworking player.”

The underlying theme was clear — fans love Chiesa, but they don’t understand Arne Slot’s reluctance to unleash him from the start.

Arne Slot Under Pressure for Benching Liverpool’s “Best Player”

Ever since replacing Jürgen Klopp, Arne Slot has spoken about evolution rather than revolution. He’s sought to balance the squad, rotate efficiently, and manage workloads. But supporters are starting to lose patience with some of his selection choices — none more so than Chiesa’s exclusion from the starting XI.

Liverpool’s performances have been mixed in the early stages of the season. There have been flashes of brilliance, but also long spells of inconsistency. The team’s attack has looked blunt at times, with established names struggling to find rhythm.

In that context, keeping Chiesa — arguably Liverpool’s sharpest forward this month — on the bench feels increasingly inexplicable.

The former Juventus man has brought urgency, directness, and creativity every time he’s been introduced. He’s not just a supersub; he’s been the difference-maker.

Some fans have begun comparing the situation to Luis Díaz’s early months at Anfield, when the Colombian’s instant impact forced Klopp to re-shape his front line. Many now believe Slot is facing the same kind of decision — to trust Chiesa as a starter or risk alienating a fan base that already sees him as indispensable.

Chiesa’s Professionalism Shines Through

Eintracht Frankfurt v Liverpool FC – UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3

Through it all, Chiesa has remained the consummate professional. No sulking, no cryptic posts, no public frustration — just quiet determination and focus.

“Whatever the minutes are that I’m playing, I try to give my best,” he said recently. “I try to help the team, stay positive, and make an impact. That’s what I’m here for. I hope I keep pushing and giving something back to the fans.”

It’s a message of maturity from a player who’s been through his share of challenges — from serious injuries at Juventus to adapting to the intensity of English football. Yet, if anything, the adversity seems to fuel him.

Behind the scenes, those close to the squad describe him as humble and obsessive — the first to arrive at training, the last to leave. Coaches admire his professionalism, even if fans wish Slot would show that appreciation by giving him more minutes.

The Bigger Picture: Slot’s Tactical Balancing Act

From Slot’s perspective, there’s logic — at least theoretically — behind his cautious handling of Chiesa.

The Dutchman’s system relies heavily on pressing structure and positional discipline. Introducing a new winger into a rhythm-based system takes time, particularly one like Chiesa, who thrives on freedom and instinct.

Yet football isn’t played on whiteboards alone. Matches are won by players who make things happen, and Chiesa has proven he can do exactly that. Whether from the left flank, right wing, or even centrally behind a striker, he’s been Liverpool’s most unpredictable weapon.

With Liverpool facing five matches in fifteen days, including tough domestic and European fixtures, it feels inevitable that Chiesa will get more opportunities. The only question is whether Slot views him as a starter or simply a spark plug.

What Comes Next: From Fan Favourite to First-Team Regular?

Liverpool’s short-term schedule is demanding — and potentially decisive. The Reds are battling to regain momentum in the Premier League while maintaining their push in Europe. Injuries to key attackers could open the door for Chiesa to finally stake his claim.

If that happens, the energy shift could be significant. Chiesa offers the unpredictability and directness that Liverpool have occasionally lacked since Sadio Mané’s departure. He stretches defences, commits full-backs, and opens spaces for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Isak to exploit.

Even within his brief cameos, you can see teammates feeding off his intensity — the quick interchanges, the one-touch link play, the relentless forward runs. In a squad searching for inspiration, those qualities matter.

And perhaps most importantly, he has the full backing of the supporters. Few new signings have connected so instantly with the Anfield crowd.

The Verdict: Chiesa the Symbol of What Liverpool Need

Football has its ironies. A bench player wins Player of the Month, fans mock the decision — but deep down, it tells the real story of Liverpool’s season so far.

Federico Chiesa has become a symbol of both what’s right and what’s wrong with the current setup. His performances show promise, passion, and end product — yet his absence from the starting XI highlights the growing disconnect between Arne Slot’s tactics and the supporters’ expectations.

For now, Chiesa seems content to let his football do the talking. But if Liverpool want to rediscover the spark that once made them irresistible, Slot might soon have no choice but to hand him the stage he deserves.

Because if the “best player” in the team keeps shining from the bench, the question won’t be “Is this a joke?” anymore — it’ll be “Why did it take so long?”