Federico Chiesa's Liverpool Future in Doubt After Latest Setback
Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has encountered another significant setback during the recent international break, casting further doubt on his future at Anfield. The Italy international was selected by manager Gennaro Gattuso for the Azzurri's World Cup qualifying play-offs, despite his limited game time at club level, but was forced to withdraw from the squad due to fitness concerns.
Chiesa's Struggles at Liverpool
Since his move from Juventus to Liverpool in 2024, Chiesa has endured a challenging period, with this latest withdrawal representing yet another disappointment in his Reds career. The Euro 2020 winner has mostly been used as a substitute during his two seasons under manager Arne Slot, raising questions about his long-term role at the club.
Speculation continues to swirl around Chiesa's future, though fans may need to wait until the end of the current campaign for clearer indications. Gattuso commented on the situation, stating, "Not everyone is the same. Footballers' minds aren't all alike. When I hear he has problems, that he's hesitant, I have to make a decision." He added, "We decided together because he didn't feel up to it; he went back home, and I accepted it. I don't have great medical expertise, but if someone isn't feeling well, you shouldn't insist."
Limited Impact and Champions League Frustration
Chiesa was one of only two signings made by Arne Slot during his first Liverpool transfer window, joining immediately while Giorgi Mamardashvili's arrival was delayed until 2025. Although the winger became a Premier League champion in his debut season, his on-field contributions have been minimal.
In his first campaign, fitness issues derailed his progress, limiting him to just six league appearances. This season, he has surpassed that tally, but the bulk of his appearances—including 22 of his 23 league run-outs—have been as a substitute. Slot originally omitted Chiesa from the Champions League squad this season, only reinstating him after defender Giovanni Leoni sustained a long-term injury.
Slot discussed the difficult conversation, saying, "For a player not to play, it is not always easy to tell them but not to be in the squad is always more difficult. I just explained to him why we made this choice. Of course, he wasn't happy with that." He noted that Chiesa understood the arguments but did not necessarily agree, adding, "He gave me the answer you want to hear from a player, that he will be there to help the team in the cups and in the league."
What Lies Ahead for Chiesa?
Despite not entirely justifying his £12.5 million price tag, Chiesa remains a cult figure among Liverpool supporters, and the fee could yet prove a bargain. He continues to feature in Italy's plans and has made strong impressions in limited opportunities, such as setting up both goals in a Carabao Cup win against Southampton in September.
Chiesa expressed his commitment to competing at a top club, stating, "I play for a top club. This is maybe one of the top three in the world. It's Liverpool – of course they are going to buy top players; of course, the competition is high. If I don't want competition, I go to another team. But I want the competition, I want to play here and I think, at the end of the day, competition helps you to become a better player."
With a four-year contract signed upon joining, Liverpool are under no pressure to sell Chiesa. Even if they consider offloading him, they need not worry about losing out on a hefty fee, as he was never likely to fetch a substantial sum. As Mohamed Salah is set to depart Anfield at the season's end, further changes to the forward line could be imminent, making Chiesa's circumstances particularly noteworthy as the campaign concludes.
