Federico Chiesa was on the verge of leaving under Arne Slott, but the appointment of Andoni Iraola marks a fresh start for the Liverpool forward, who has been used in a new position since pre-season.
Federico Chiesa wants to gain Andoni Iraola’s trust (Image: Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Liverpool star Federico Chiesa has said he is not considering a move, with new manager Andoni Iraola wanting him to play as a striker. Chiesa, 28, has started just two Premier League games since joining from Juventus for £10m in 2024 and has been frequently linked with an away move.
The forward lacks the confidence of former manager Arne Slott, who was sacked in May after a disappointing season, and is hoping to make his mark in pre-season under Iraola. Chiesa got off to a good start with a goal in Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Sunderland in Nashville and was instrumental in the next goal.
After the match, the Italian made it clear that he wants to have a successful career at Liverpool after a disappointing first few years, adding that under Iraola he would play in the center rather than on the wing. “Right now, at this moment, I’m happy here at Liverpool,” declared Chiesa.
“I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything. I’m doing my best to get my chance here and then we’ll see. All I’m thinking about at the moment is Liverpool. I don’t know, it’s hard to say[if this is a new start].”
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“The beginning of the year is always a fresh start. Maybe there were too many fresh starts. But I don’t care. I’m trying to do my best for this new manager. Last season I was trying to do my best under Arne Slott.”
“Last year I felt I was ready for a bigger role, but after that it depended on whether the manager wanted me to play or not. Of course I wanted to play more, but that’s the reality. The manager decided to do it, he had his game plan and he made his decisions. I have nothing to say about that. That’s football.”
“I would say this year is a new chapter. We have a new manager and we have to focus on that. Today he made me a striker and he wants me there. The only conversation I had (with Iraola) was about pressing and tactics.”
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Federico Chiesa played as a striker and scored against Sunderland (Image: Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Chiesa feels a responsibility to atone for Liverpool’s “lucky” fifth place finish last season, when the Reds narrowly qualified for the Champions League on the final day. “Liverpool deserve more recognition,” declared the 28-year-old.
“Two years ago we were Premier League champions. Last year we narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot. We were fighting for fifth place and that was good enough at the time, but as we know, usually you only get four players. We were lucky.”
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