Federico Chiesa has insisted his full attention remains on Liverpool despite ongoing speculation surrounding his future, describing the upcoming season as an opportunity to reset after two difficult years at Anfield.
The Italian international has been linked with a possible exit this summer, particularly as Liverpool continue exploring attacking reinforcements, including reported interest in Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
However, Chiesa says he remains committed to proving himself with the Reds.
Chiesa Eager to Fight for His Place
After scoring Liverpool’s third goal in a 4-2 pre-season victory over Sunderland in Nashville, the former Juventus star made it clear that he has no intention of giving up on his Liverpool career.
The 2021 European Championship winner spoke warmly about the club, its supporters and the environment at Anfield, saying he is focused solely on working hard and earning more opportunities.
While acknowledging that football can change quickly, he stressed that any future decisions can wait, as his current priority is helping Liverpool.
New Manager Brings Renewed Optimism
For Chiesa, the arrival of a new head coach represents another chance to impress after spending much of the previous campaign on the fringes of the first team.
The winger admitted each season feels like a fresh beginning, even joking that he has experienced more than enough fresh starts in recent years.
Nevertheless, he believes a managerial change offers him another opportunity to establish himself and intends to give everything to convince the new boss.
Limited Playing Time Left Him Frustrated
Although Chiesa featured in 26 Premier League matches last season, he started only once, with recurring fitness issues also limiting his impact.
The forward revealed he believed he was capable of taking on a bigger role but accepted that selection decisions ultimately rested with the previous manager.
While disappointed by the lack of minutes, he said he respected those choices and is now focused entirely on writing a new chapter in his Liverpool career.
Champions League Qualification Should Not Be Taken for Granted
Reflecting on Liverpool’s campaign, Chiesa admitted the club fell well below the standards expected of one of England’s biggest teams.
He said Liverpool were fortunate to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League after spending much of the campaign battling for a top-five finish.
According to the Italian, a club with Liverpool’s history should consistently compete near the top of the Premier League rather than relying on favorable qualification circumstances.
Chiesa also pointed to Liverpool’s recent Premier League title success as evidence that expectations should be much higher and believes the squad must produce stronger performances both domestically and in Europe this season.
Italy Return Remains on the Agenda
Chiesa also addressed his international future after recently declining a call-up from new Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso.
Despite that decision, he insisted his desire to represent his country has not changed and expressed hope that he can return to the national team once he has re-established himself through regular performances at club level.
Defensive Worry Emerges During Pre-Season
While Liverpool celebrated another positive pre-season result, there was concern over Joe Gomez after the defender was forced off with an injury during the friendly against Sunderland in Tennessee.
Any extended absence would create another defensive headache for Liverpool, who are already dealing with limited options at the back as preparations continue for the new season.
