Italy forward Federico Chiesa insists he remains happy and committed to Liverpool under new head coach Andoni Iraola, despite making only one Premier League start last season. Speaking in July 2026 after a pre-season friendly in Nashville, Chiesa dismissed speculation about an immediate return to Serie A.
Frustrating Minutes Under Arne Slot
Federico Chiesa arrived at Anfield in August 2024 from Juventus in a deal worth £12.5m (€15m). Yet his first two seasons under Arne Slot brought limited opportunities on the pitch. Across 50 appearances in all competitions during his time at the club, the Italian forward has started just one Premier League match and scored five goals.
During the 2024-25 campaign, as Liverpool played their first season under Arne Slot, Chiesa made only 14 appearances—10 of which were as a substitute—scoring two goals and supplying one assist. Injuries affecting fellow attackers Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké in 2025-26 opened the door for 36 appearances, but 31 of those outings came off the bench, restricting him to 726 minutes of action across the term. In all competitions, Chiesa has only reached 10 goals in one of his last five seasons, having previously hit double figures in three straight campaigns between 2018-19 and 2020-21 for Fiorentina and Juventus. Having previously suffered an anterior cruciate ligament in 2022, Chiesa has not started 30 games in a season across all competitions since 2020-21, when he made 36 starts for Juventus.
Reflections on a Troubled Champions League Campaign
Reflecting on a difficult finish to the previous season, Chiesa pulled no punches regarding Liverpool’s struggles to secure a top-four finish. Speaking in Nashville, the 28-year-old assessed that the team was fortunate to qualify for the Champions League after battling for fifth place on the final day in May, which ultimately proved to be Arne Slot’s final match in charge before his dismissal in June.
Federico Chiesa, Liverpool forward, stated that Liverpool deserved more, recalling that two years prior they had been Premier League champions, whereas the previous year they had almost missed out on the Champions League spots while battling for fifth, which was enough at the time even though, as everyone knows, usually only four teams get in, adding that they were lucky.
A Fresh Start Under Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola took charge in June after Slot’s dismissal, bringing an immediate tactical shift. Chiesa noted that his conversations with the Basque coach have been focused elsewhere: Federico Chiesa, Liverpool forward, noted that the only conversations he had were about pressing and tactics, noting that Iraola put him striker against Sunderland and wanted him there.
That tactical adjustment produced an immediate on-field moment on Saturday in Nashville, where Chiesa produced a fine finish as Liverpool beat Sunderland 4-2 in the first friendly of the Iraola era. Speaking to reporters after the match, Chiesa addressed the recurring managerial changes he has faced.
Federico Chiesa, Liverpool forward, acknowledged that it is always a fresh start at the beginning of the year, remarking that perhaps there had been too many fresh starts, but maintained that he did not care and was trying to do his best for the new manager, noting that the previous season under Arne Slot he had also tried his best and felt ready for a bigger role, after which it depended on the coach whether he wanted him to play or not, though naturally he had wanted to play more, even if it is what it is, noting that the gaffer decided to do so with his own gameplans and decisions leaving him nothing to say about it since that is football, while concluding that this year represents a new chapter with a new manager on whom he has to focus.
Weighing a Return to Serie A Against Remaining at Anfield
Despite persistent links tying him to a return to Italy—with Como and his former club Juventus reportedly monitoring the forward—Chiesa maintains that his immediate focus remains fixed on Merseyside. He is contracted at Anfield until 2028, though he acknowledged in June via La Gazzetta dello Sport that Federico Chiesa, Liverpool forward, warned that if he did not find consistency in the Premier League, he would have to look elsewhere.
Federico Chiesa, Liverpool forward, expressed that right then and at that moment he was happy at Liverpool, stating that he loved the club, the fans, and everything about it, and was doing his absolute best to earn a chance there before seeing what happens, emphasizing that at that minute the only thing on his mind was Liverpool.
What Lies Ahead in Pre-Season
Liverpool’s pre-season preparations continue swiftly following their victory in Tennessee. The squad travels to face Wrexham at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday before heading to Chicago to take on Leeds United next weekend, offering Chiesa further opportunities to prove his worth to Iraola’s tactical plans.
