Fabrizio Romano has just dropped a Liverpool transfer shocker, involving Federico Chiesa's desire to stay at the club, which no fan saw coming before this season.
Picture the scene: Liverpool has just conceded two goals at Anfield Stadium to bring the game level, and they risk losing their fortress record. They need a goal, and on comes Federico Chiesa.
The reception was strange. Half of the stadium forgot he was a Liverpool player, and the other half debated leaving because he obviously wasn't going to score to give Liverpool the lead again, right?
Wrong. Chiesa proved everyone wrong, even himself, probably. He was the reason why Liverpool won on opening day, and he likely inspired the rest of his Liverpool teammates.
Fabrizio Romano dropped a major Liverpool transfer U-turn
Yesterday, Fabrizio Romano published an update involving Federico Chiesa, and one that no Liverpool fan would have expected heading into this season. Turns out, he has a clear desire to stay at Liverpool, and he even views that goal at Anfield as a turning point in his career.
In his own words, Romano said: "Federico Chiesa and his agent have informed Liverpool about clear desire to stay at the club. Chiesa was considered to leave in June/July when rejected bids for Diaz and Federico was left out of Asian tour. Now Diaz left, more space and that goal to open new chapter."
Now, go back to that scene we pictured earlier. When Chiesa scored at the Kop end, it did feel like a complete turning point in his career. It also felt like a turning point for Liverpool.
Liverpool needed new heroes this season, and in the first match, two new heroes stepped up. One of them was a complete newbie (Ekitike), and the other was a pre-existing player with a new lease of life (Chiesa).
So, the next question for Liverpool to answer is: Is Chiesa really worth sticking by? Sure, he scored a goal to revive a game, but is this alone worth making a complete U-turn?
No, that alone wouldn't be worth making the U-turn. But there are other factors at play which suggest Liverpool absolutely should keep Chiesa.
Chiesa has found a new hunger. He felt the feeling of making the Kop embrace each other, and embrace him. This new fire shouldn't be overlooked, he'll want to feel that rush of emotion again and again.
There is also, like Romano mentioned, the factor of Liverpool's depth chart. There are more places available since the Luis Diaz sale, so Liverpool should absolutely give Chiesa a shot there.