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.”

PHILADELPHIA — The New York Yankees officially placed left fielder Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with a left hamstring strain. The Yankees recalled Spencer Jones from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Bellinger’s spot on the roster.

Bellinger exited Saturday’s 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies after injuring his hamstring while rounding first base in the top of the eighth. Bellinger initially remained in the game before he limped to the dugout and into the clubhouse between innings.

Losing Bellinger is a significant blow for the Yankees, whose depth continues to get tested on the position-player side. Bellinger now joins Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list, three players who were seen as cornerstones for the Yankees’ lineup entering the season.

“He’s a huge member of our team and what we do,” Boone said of Bellinger on Saturday. “Just a tremendous all-around player.”

Bellinger has a 118 wRC+ on the season and 19 defensive runs saved, which is the most among all left fielders in MLB. The Yankees would likely feel his absence most on defense. The drop-off from Bellinger to Jones is steep. Max Schuemann ultimately replaced Bellinger in left field on Saturday, and he is expected to be in the lineup on Sunday against Phillies left-handed starter Cristopher Sánchez.

Jones has yet to play left field this season, but he can play all three outfield positions, even though he is not considered an extraordinary fielder at any position. With Bellinger now shelved, the Yankees could turn to Jones in left field or shift Jasson Domínguez from right field. Domínguez was one of MLB’s worst defenders in left field last season, as he struggled with inconsistent routes and reads. He has looked considerably more comfortable in right field, though he has still graded out negatively.

Offensively, Bellinger hasn’t produced at his usual level since Judge, who hasn’t played since May 31, landed on the injured list. He has posted an 87 wRC+ since June 1, and he has the 20th-worst slugging percentage among all qualified hitters during that span. Bellinger also hasn’t homered since June 17; his 31-game homerless streak is two games shy of his career-long drought. Even amid that slump, Bellinger still represents a stronger offensive option than any of the Yankees’ internal alternatives.

“Obviously, I hit a cold stretch there for a little bit,” Bellinger said. “It was way longer than I ever wanted it to be.”

Bellinger hasn’t been the only problem with the Yankees’ offense since the start of June, though he’s been one of the key issues. New York enters Sunday night’s game with an 89 wRC+ since June 1, tied for the fifth-worst in MLB. Bellinger’s absence may now force Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to prioritize adding an outfielder before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

It’s unclear which outfielders may be available on the market. Boone mentioned that his sense was many clubs were still determining their direction. But some outfielders for the Yankees to consider may include Kansas City’s Lane Thomas, Baltimore’s Taylor Ward, Colorado’s Mickey Moniak and Cincinnati’s JJ Bleday and Spencer Steer.

It’s too early to know if the Yankees’ trade plans will be altered in light of Bellinger missing time. Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham had a minor hamstring injury earlier this season — one in which he was able to run the following day — and he still missed 19 games. Generally, a Grade 1 hamstring strain often sidelines players for several weeks, while more significant strains can require months.

Now that the Yankees know Bellinger will be sidelined, it may force Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to add even more offense to a lineup that has struggled for nearly two months.