Arne Slot looks set to have Federico Chiesa available to him this season after the Italian made it clear to the club he wants to stay and fight for his place in the team.
The 27-year-old arrived from Juventus last summer as Slot’s only significant signing ahead of his first season in charge.
It was a fabulous campaign for the Reds as they won the Premier League title but not so much for Chiesa on an individual basis.
The 51-cap Italy international made just six Premier League appearances and did not score a league goal, with 14 outings and two goals in all competitions.
He struggled to get up to and maintain fitness, while competition for places in Liverpool’s forward line was fierce.
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A summer exit was on the cards and Chiesa was even left out of the pre-season tour of Asia, but now he looks set to stay.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that the forward has told the club that he wants to stay and intends to compete for his place in the team.
After Luis Diaz left for Bayern Munich, Darwin Nunez for Saudi Arabia and the tragic death of Diogo Jota, Chiesa has risen up the pecking order in Liverpool’s front line.
He also proved his worth on the opening day of the new season as he scored his first Premier League goal, a crucial one which gave the Reds the lead late on against Bournemouth at Anfield last Friday.
Speaking after the game, he said: ‘I’m very happy at Liverpool! I will speak to the club but I want to stay here and fight to win many trophies.’
He added: ‘I helped my team to get an edge in a very difficult game and then at the end we scored for 4-2. As I am concerned all the Premier League games are tough until the end. You never know. We have to continue like this.
‘It took me one year to score in the Premier League but as we say in Italian: Better late than never.’
Federico Chiesa’s Premier League record
2023/24
Starts: 1
Sub apps: 5
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
2024/25
Starts: 0
Sub apps: 1
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
While the goal is unlikely to make the Italian a starter in the top flight, he will hope to be given more opportunities to shine after his cool finish against the Cherries.
Chiesa’s hopes of more first team football could take a blow before the transfer window closes, though, with Liverpool making no secret of the fact they want to sign another forward this summer.
They continue to pursue Newcastle and Sweden star Alexander Isak, who is very keen on the move and not involved in first team activity with the Magpies at the minute as a result.
A resolution to that situation will need to be found one way or another as everyone is losing out currently, with the striker not getting his wish to move and Newcastle not picking or cashing in on their most valuable asset.
If Liverpool do not get Isak it is not clear who they would move for instead, although they have been linked with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and an attempt to hijack Newcastle’s attempt to sign Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.
The Reds are still looking at other areas of the field, with Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi also linked with a move to Anfield.