Federico Chiesa, the Italian forward for Liverpool, has stated he is focused on the club despite ongoing speculation regarding his future. Chiesa’s comments follow a period where his playing time under former manager Arne Slot was limited, leading to previous remarks about seeking consistency.
During two seasons at Anfield under Slot, Chiesa made 50 appearances across all competitions, scoring five times. He started only one Premier League game in that period. The 28-year-old joined Liverpool from Juventus in 2024 in a deal valued at £12.5m and is under contract until 2028.
A fresh start under new management
Chiesa’s recent statements come after the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the new manager in June, following Slot’s dismissal. The Italian forward scored in Iraola’s first friendly match, where Liverpool defeated Sunderland 4-2. Following this game, Chiesa told reporters, “Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool. I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything.”
He added, “I am doing the best I can to have a chance here – and then we will see. At the minute, the only thing I am thinking about is Liverpool.” Chiesa acknowledged that there have been “too many fresh starts” in his career but expressed his commitment to the new manager. He noted that he is trying to do his best for Iraola, just as he did for Slot last season.
Reflecting on his time under Slot, Chiesa mentioned, “Last year, 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.” He accepted the former manager’s decisions, stating, “The gaffer decided to do so, he had his gameplans, he took his decisions, I have nothing to say about that. It is football.”
Chiesa views the current season as a “new chapter” with the change in management. He highlighted the importance of focusing on the new manager’s vision. During the friendly against Sunderland, Iraola deployed Chiesa as a striker, and their conversations have focused on pressing and tactical approaches.
Ambitions for the season ahead
Chiesa’s determination to fight for his place at Liverpool is seen as encouraging, especially given the current squad depth. He believes the club deserves more than its recent performance, referencing a fifth-place finish last season. “Liverpool deserves more,” Chiesa stated, recalling the team’s status as Premier League champions two years prior.
He acknowledged that battling for fifth place was sufficient at the time, but noted that typically only four teams qualify for the Champions League. Chiesa described the previous season as tough and emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in the Champions League, after being eliminated by PSG. The team aims to progress further in that competition and perform better in the Premier League.
Chiesa indicated that a fifth-place finish is not something to celebrate at Liverpool. He also commented on the intensity of pre-season training under Iraola, stating that the team has been working for two weeks with the new coach. He noted that Iraola’s approach involves high intensity and one-versus-one play across the pitch, which the team aimed to demonstrate in the friendly match.
The forward’s commitment to staying and competing for minutes is viewed positively, aligning with the high expectations at Liverpool. He is focused on contributing to the team’s efforts as the campaign progresses, with his current contract running until 2028.
Chiesa’s comments to the Liverpool Echo underscore his desire to remain on Merseyside and contribute to the club’s future success under Iraola.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
