Federico Chiesa has moved to shut down speculation over a potential return to Serie A, insisting his sole focus remains on establishing himself at Liverpool under new head coach Andoni Iraola, following a 4-2 pre-season win over Sunderland.
The Italy international arrived from Juventus for £12.5 million in August 2024 but managed just nine starts across all competitions during Arne Slot's two-year tenure, leaving his long-term future increasingly uncertain. Speaking to reporters after the Sunderland match, Chiesa explained he was happy at Liverpool and that the club, the fans and everything about the place remained his sole focus.
Iraola deployed Chiesa in a central striking role against Sunderland, a departure from his customary wing position, as part of a broader high-intensity, aggressive pressing system the squad has been drilling in training. Chiesa described his early conversations with the new coaching staff as centred almost entirely on pressing structure and tactics, noting his willingness to adapt to whatever role the team required.
Looking ahead to the new season, Chiesa argued Liverpool's talent pool remains strong enough to challenge for major honours again after a difficult campaign that saw the club scrape into the Champions League places by finishing fifth. With his fitness and adaptation to Iraola's system now the primary focus, the coming weeks of pre-season are expected to prove decisive in determining whether Chiesa can force his way into a more prominent role for the new campaign.
