Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa admits the club are fortunate to be in the Champions League next season – and sees sees the upcoming campaign as a chance for a ‘fresh start’ after two frustrating years spent largely on the substitutes’ bench.
The Italian, who was rated as a future world-beater when he won the European Championship with his nation in 2021, signed for £10million from Juventus two years ago but has failed to make a lasting impression.
Many expected Chiesa would leave this summer – a situation that still could happen if they sign a forward, with movement expected on their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola this week.
But Chiesa, who scored in the Reds’ 4-2 win over Sunderland in Nashville, said: ‘Right now, I am happy here at Liverpool. 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 season under Arne Slot, I was trying to do my best.
Federico Chiesa scored Liverpool’s third goal in their win over Sunderland in Nashville
‘Last year I felt ready for a bigger role, then it depended on the coach whether he wanted me to play or not.
‘Of course I wanted to play more but it is what it is. The gaffer decided to do so, he had his game plans, he took his decisions, I have nothing to say about that. It is football. This year, let us say it is a new chapter. There is a new manager and I have to focus on that.’
Chiesa made 26 league appearances last but only one of those was a start and fitness continued to be an issue. He made the unusual step of turning down an Italy call-up from Gennaro Gattuso but insists he is keen to get back in the fold under their new boss.
Asked to reflect on last season, which saw Slot pay with his job, Chiesa said the team were lucky to even get in the top five. He added : ‘Liverpool deserves more. Two years ago, we were Premier League champions. Last year, 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 go in. We were lucky. It was a tough season last year and this season we need to do better, in the Champions League as well.’
Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of Joe Gomez who had to be substituted in a friendly against Sunderland here in Tennessee, with the Reds already short on defenders for the new season.
