Since arriving from Juventus for £12.5 million two summers ago, Federico Chiesa's Liverpool career is yet to really get started. Thus, it was widely expected that the Italian international would return to Serie A this summer, with potential suitors even being put forward. However, the 28 year old might just have quelled those rumours:
"I am doing the best I can to have a chance here... right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool. I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything. "
These comments were somewhat of a surprise, considering Chiesa had told Gazzetta dello Sport in June that "if I don't find consistency in the Premier League, I'll have to look elsewhere". So, what has changed? Well, the Liverpool manager, with Arne Slot having been sacked and replaced by Andoni Iraola. When it was put to Chiesa that the change in head coach could be beneficial to his chances of seeing regular minutes, this what he had to say:
"I don't know, it is difficult to say. It is always a fresh start at the beginning of the year. I am trying to do my best for this new manager. Last season under Arne Slot, I was trying to do my best too... I felt ready for a bigger role, then it depended on the coach whether he wanted me to play or not. Of course I wanted to play more but it is what it is."
Clearly frustrated with how infrequently he was used by Slot, the Italian added "this year, let us say it is a new chapter. There is a new manager and I have to focus on that". Chiesa was speaking after Saturday's 4-2 pre-season friendly victory over Sunderland in Tennessee, in which he was introduced as a half time substitute and scored mid-way through the second 45, set up by Calvin Ramsay.
Calvin 🔗 Fede 👌 pic.twitter.com/KFatgADaVh
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 26, 2026
With games against Wrexham and Leeds United to come this week as part of the Reds' pre-season tour, expect Chiesa to see plenty more minutes. The front three Iraola deployed in Nashville comprised three teenagers, namely Rio Ngumoha, Will Wright and Kieran Morrison, a reflection of his lack of options.
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have now joined up with the squad in the States, but Cody Gakpo is beginning his pre-season at AXA Training Centre, while new signing Víctor Muñoz is on holiday, after Spain reached the World Cup Final. Even when everyone is available, aside from long-term absentee Hugo Ekitiké, Iraola is light on attacking players, hence why Liverpool are chasing numerous winger during this summer transfer window. Bradley Barcola is reportedly top of their list, also purportedly interested in Yan Diomandé, Andreas Schjelderup, Oskar Pietuszewski and countless others.
Thus, right now, the Reds cannot afford to let Chiesa to leave. Across two seasons on Merseyside, of his 50 appearances, a mind-boggling 41 have come off the bench, starting only twice in the Premier League. The first of these came against Brighton, after the title had been wrapped up, his only other inclusion in a league XI coming against Wolves at Anfield the day after Boxing Day last year.
That though was under Slot, with Chiesa looking forward to a fresh start with Iraola at the helm. So, a few more goals in the states and, who knows, he could be starting at St James' Park on the opening weekend of the season.
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