Forward believes new manager’s arrival offers him another chance to establish himself
Federico Chiesa says he wants to remain at Liverpool and fight for a regular place under Andoni Iraola after admitting he expected more opportunities during Arne Slot’s time in charge.
The Italy international has been linked with a return to Serie A after spending much of the past two seasons on the bench, but insists his immediate focus is on proving himself to Liverpool’s new head coach.
“Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool,” Chiesa said after scoring in Liverpool’s first pre-season game against Sunderland in Nashville. “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.”
The 28-year-old believes Iraola’s arrival offers him another chance to establish himself after making only five starts under Slot last season despite appearing 36 times in all competitions.
“It is always a fresh start at the beginning of the year,” Chiesa said. “Maybe there have been too many fresh starts. But I don’t care, I am trying to do my best for this new manager.
“Last season under Arne Slot, I was trying to do my best. 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. The gaffer had his gameplans, he took his decisions, I have nothing to say about that. It is football. This year, let us say it is a new chapter. There is a new manager and I have to focus on that.”
Chiesa said he has not held discussions with Iraola about his role next season, although the Spaniard has already experimented with him in a central attacking position.
“The only conversations I had were about pressing and tactics,” he said. “He put me striker against Sunderland and he wants me there.”
The forward joined Liverpool from Juventus in 2024 and still has two years remaining on his contract. Despite interest from clubs in Italy, including Como and his former side Juventus, he said he is concentrating on earning a place at Anfield rather than pursuing a transfer.
Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League last season but secured Champions League qualification on the final day under the competition’s expanded format. Chiesa believes that outcome should not be viewed as a success.
“Liverpool deserves more,” he said. “Two years ago, we were Premier League champions. Last year, we almost went out of the Champions League spots. We were battling for fifth, which was enough at the time but as we know usually only four go in. We were lucky.
“It was a tough season last year and this season we need to do better, in the Champions League as well. We went out to PSG. We want to go further in that competition and then we want to do even better in the Premier League as well.”
Chiesa also hopes consistent football at club level will help him return to the Italy squad after injury and limited playing time kept him out of recent selections.
“The situation is that I spoke to the manager a few times, Gattuso, and I was not ready physically at the time,” he said. “When I got back in March, unfortunately I got injured. But I am looking forward to playing for the national team. I have won with the national team. It is always nice to play and win for your national team.”
