Federico Chiesa says he wants to stay at Liverpool as he targets a bigger role under new head coach Andoni Iraola this season.
The Italian forward has been linked with a return to his homeland this summer after making just nine starts in all competitions across Arne Slot’s two-year reign.
However, Chiesa is not pushing for a move and views the appointment of Iraola as “a new chapter” for him at Anfield.
“Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool,” he told reporters after scoring the third goal in Saturday’s 4-2 friendly win over 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.
“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. 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.
“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.”
The 28-year-old attacker, who joined Liverpool from Juventus in a £12.5million deal in August 2024, is yet to have talks with Iraola about where he stands in his plans for the upcoming campaign.
“The only conversations I’ve had with the coach have been about pressing and tactics,” he adds. “He put me striker today. 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 versus one all over the pitch, that’s what we wanted to show today.”
Chiesa played the second half of Liverpool’s 4-2 friendly win over Sunderland (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Chiesa, who came on as a substitute 31 times in all competitions in 2025-26, wants to help restore the club to competing for the biggest trophies after the struggles of last season when they limped home fifth in the Premier League.
“Liverpool deserves more,” he says. “Two seasons ago we were Premier League champions. Last season 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 clubs go in. We were lucky. It was a tough season and this season we need to do better in the Champions League as well. I think we’ve got the squad to do that.”
Chiesa has not added to his 51 caps for Italy since Euro 2024 but hopes his club form will secure a return to the national team this season. He’s waiting to learn who will replace manager Gennaro Gattuso following their failure to qualify for the World Cup.
“I spoke to Gattuso a few times last season but I was not ready physically at the time,” he says. “I needed more minutes and he understood the situation. When I got back in March, unfortunately I got injured. But of course I am looking forward to playing for the national team. I have won (the Euros in 2021) with the national team and it is always great to play for your country.”
