Copyright dailystar
As the Brentford faithful revelled in toppling the Premier League champions on Saturday evening, the atmosphere in the visiting dressing room of Liverpool was starkly contrasting. With the jubilant roars and songs ringing out in the background, the Reds' dejected and beaten squad sat in deafening quiet following their fourth consecutive Premier League loss. Only days earlier, an unscheduled players-only gathering initiated by captain Virgil van Dijk had breathed fresh energy into a struggling campaign with their commanding Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, yet this time there was no appetite for rallying speeches. "No-one was speaking, because afterwards everyone knows," revealed Reds forward Federico Chiesa . "Sometimes you don't have to speak about the situation. You know what's going on. "So no-one spoke because we have to think about what we can do better. Usually when we are in this situation, the first thing that comes to your mind is to give more, train harder. "It was good that after the game we didn't talk because it's a sign that everyone wants to change. Everyone wants to change the situation." The silence proved short-lived, with the Liverpool players dissecting precisely what continues to plague them during the lengthy trip back to Merseyside, reports the Liverpool Echo . Chiesa said: "Afterwards we went to the bus and then we started to talk about the situation and everyone wants to turn things around. That's the main goal and the first thing is that we don't have to blame anything or anyone. "It's many reasons and there's not just one thing. We don't and I personally don't care if it's this or that that is causing us not to win. For me the most important thing is to work harder and then try to get the win. "I always think positive and we have the quality and the players to bounce back and we have a fantastic manager, so I don't see any trouble. I hope there's not going to be any trouble in the future. "At the beginning of the season we were winning and no-one was questioning this and that and whatever, so just we have to win because it's Liverpool." The challenge becomes no less daunting on Wednesday evening as Liverpool seek to prevent a sixth loss in seven matches - their worst such streak in 16 years - when they welcome Crystal Palace for a League Cup fourth round clash. The Eagles have already defeated the Reds twice in recent months, in the Premier League and Community Shield. Brentford became the latest team to capitalise on Liverpool's well-documented weakness defending set-pieces and aerial balls, yet Chiesa, who is expected to feature with Slot prepared to shuffle his squad, remains untroubled. He said: "We have players that are world class and that can be put in any situation and will perform. So I don't see any problem. "If Crystal Palace wants to play long ball and long throw-ins, they are more than welcome to do so, because we're going to answer them with high intensity and winning duels, and trying to win. "I don't know if you say this in English, but in Italy we say, 'winning, brings winning'. So we want to win tomorrow. That's it." Having battled during his maiden campaign at Liverpool, Chiesa already boasts two goals and three assists in nine appearances this season, and provided assists for both Liverpool strikes in their 2-1 victory over Southampton in the previous round. Many fans however want to see him get more opportunities including starts for the Reds, with Slot only using him as a late substitute in the Premier League this season, except for against Brentford, when he saw 29 minutes of action. His only start and 90 minutes so far this campaign was in the win over Southampton. Chiesa said. "At the moment I'm happy with what I'm doing. I'm not happy with what the situation is like for the team because we're not winning, but, personally, I think I'm giving a lot to the team, to the fans and I want to keep doing that in order to win in the future. "That's the main reason I'm doing this. Obviously, I want to stay here and I want to win for Liverpool again. "I want to play good. That's my main goal, then the coach is going to decide whether I'm starting or not. But if I keep on playing well, then, of course, I'm going to have more minutes. That's because the coach sees that. He showed that to me because I've been playing better. "Last year I wasn't fit enough. I wasn't mentally ready and I didn't play. I was totally okay with it because I wasn't up to speed with the other lads. "This year, I felt as soon as we started I felt better physically and mentally. I have played more and I still need to play more to reach the level. I was playing a lot when I won the Euros [in 2021]. "I'm a different player now, but I like where I'm going and I like the fact I have improved in many aspects of my game, apart from the fact I have lost a bit of speed." Chiesa, who at 28 has become a fan favourite not just for his consistent performances but also for his catchy chant, believes his experience can guide the influx of young talent as Slot's team strives to regain their form. "First of all, I'm honoured to have such big support from the fans, because we're talking about Liverpool fans," he said. "Playing for Liverpool is an honour, and having this kind of support is amazing. "So, yeah, I do feel that I can give a bit of leadership on the pitch, because I'm 28 and we have a lot of players that are around 24, or like Florian [Wirtz] just 22. "I can help the team by being on the pitch and giving them some leadership. Of course, then we have Virgil, we have Mo [Salah], but I think for the games that I have played in my past, I can bring that [experience] to our game."
