Federico Chiesa insists his only focus is Liverpool as the Italian forward addresses speculation over his future, opening up on a frustrating stint under Arne Slot and looking ahead to a potential fresh start under newly appointed head coach Andoni Iraola following a 4-2 pre-season win against Sunderland in Nashville.
The 28-year-old forward has faced questions about his long-term prospects at Anfield after a difficult pair of seasons across two campaigns at Anfield under Arne Slot, during which he managed just a single Premier League start. Despite scoring five times in 50 appearances across all competitions, the limited playing time had previously fueled talk of a potential return to Serie A, with clubs including Como and Juventus linked with the attacker.
Addressing the Rumors and Embracing a New Chapter Under Andoni Iraola
Speaking to reporters following the team’s pre-season victory in the United States, Chiesa dismissed exit rumors and emphasized his commitment to proving himself to the new coaching staff. Chiesa produced a fine finish in that 4-2 friendly defeat of Sunderland in Nashville, featuring in an advanced role under the incoming Basque manager.
“Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool. I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything. 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.”
Federico Chiesa
The player noted that discussions with Iraola since his June appointment have centered primarily on tactical implementation and pressing structures. Notably, the new boss deployed him as a striker against Sunderland, signaling a possible tactical shift for the forward’s role in the squad. Under contract until 2028 following a £12.5m transfer from Juventus in 2024, Chiesa maintains he is focused squarely on earning regular minutes.
Reflecting on a Difficult Stint Under Arne Slot
The forward did not shy away from the challenges of the previous season, acknowledging that his lack of consistent opportunities proved testing. Although he made 36 appearances under Slot last term, only five were starts, leaving him on the sidelines during a period when Liverpool dealt with significant attacking injuries to Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké. His last start arrived during an FA Cup fourth-round victory against Brighton on February 14.
“Last year under Arne Slot, I was trying to do my best too. 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.”
Federico Chiesa
Reflecting on the constant managerial turnover and fresh starts throughout his career, Chiesa admitted that the frequent resets can be taxing. He noted that maybe there have been too many fresh starts, but reiterated his determination to adapt to the new regime regardless.
Raising the Standard for the Season Ahead
Beyond his personal ambitions, Chiesa offered a blunt assessment of Liverpool’s broader standing after a difficult campaign that ended with Champions League qualification secured on the final day of the season in May. With Slot departing after that final match, the forward stressed that a club of Liverpool’s stature must demand much higher standards moving forward in both domestic and European competitions.
Pointing back to the club’s Premier League title win two years prior, Chiesa asserted that battling merely for a fifth-place finish was not enough, describing the team as lucky to sneak into the top-four spots after a campaign that also saw them exit Europe against Paris Saint-Germain. Alongside his club ambitions, he also eyes a return to the Italy national team setup, having missed recent squads due to physical setbacks following conversations with former coach Gennaro Gattuso.
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