Federico Chiesa wants Liverpool stay: ‘I’m happy here, it’s a new chapter’
Federico Chiesa claims he is happy at Liverpool and is ready to fight for his place under Andoni Iraola in pre-season, though his future is not entirely decided.
Chiesa is heading into his third season at Liverpool and has been expected to leave the club this summer after failing to make an impression under Arne Slot.
But the versatile Italian could benefit from a change in the dugout, having already got his name on the scoresheet in Iraola’s first friendly in charge.
Speaking after that 4-2 win over Sunderland in Nashville, Chiesa told reporters including The Athletic‘s James Pearce: “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.
“It is always a fresh start at the beginning of the year.
“Maybe there have been too many fresh starts, but I don’t care. I am trying to do my best for this new manager.”
There was a strong opinion among fans that Chiesa was not given the chance he deserved under Slot, of whom one of the main criticisms was his over-reliance on a core group of senior players regardless of their own form.
NASHVILLE, USA – Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool’s head coach Andoni Iraola (L) speaks to Federico Chiesa during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Iraola has already expressed his desire to utilise the wider squad and that could hand his No. 14 a new opportunity.
“Last year I also felt ready to play a bigger role, but then it depended on whether the coach wanted me to play or not,” Chiesa continued.
“The gaffer had his game plans, he took his decisions, I have nothing to say about that.
“This year, let us say it is a new chapter. There is a new manager and I have to focus on that.”
Chiesa is wanted by a host of clubs in Serie A and has already admitted he would relish a return to Juventus, who he left for Liverpool in a £12.5 million deal in 2024.
NASHVILLE, USA – Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa scores the third goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But the 28-year-old is yet to discuss his future with Iraola and is purely focused on making an impact in pre-season and earning a more prominent role.
“The only conversations I’ve had with the coach have been about pressing and tactics,” Chiesa explained.
“He put me striker [against Sunderland]. I have played my whole career as a winger but I am happy to play striker as well.
“We have been training two weeks now with a new coach and we have seen what he wants. He wants high intensity, one-vs-one all over the pitch, that’s what we wanted to show.”
