Chiesa vows to fight for regular Liverpool starts under Iraola
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Federico Chiesa has said he wants "a new chapter" at Liverpool under incoming head coach Andoni Iraola, after two frustrating seasons of limited game time under Arne Slot. The Italian forward, who has been linked with a return to Serie A, scored in Liverpool's 4-2 pre-season friendly win over Sunderland in Nashville and said he was focused solely on earning a regular role at Anfield rather than seeking a move away.
Chiesa made 36 appearances under Slot last season but started just five, including only one in the Premier League, despite injury problems for Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké; his last start came in the FA Cup against Brighton on 14 February. The 28-year-old, who has two years left on his contract and has been linked with Como and former club Juventus, said he had discussed only pressing and tactics with Iraola so far, and separately criticised Liverpool's stature-defying scramble for a lucky top-five Champions League finish last season, saying the club must do better both domestically and in Europe after their last-16 exit to PSG.
- Chiesa seeks bigger Liverpool role under new coach Iraola after Slot frustrations
- Started just five games, one in the league, last season
- Says Liverpool were "lucky" to secure Champions League qualification
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Federico Chiesa is an Italian forward who joined Liverpool from Juventus in 2024, but has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under head coach Arne Slot over the past two seasons. Andoni Iraola, previously in charge at Bournemouth, is coming in as Liverpool's new head coach, prompting Chiesa to speak publicly about wanting more playing time and a fresh start.
The story matters because it touches on several threads at once: a player's future at a major club, the impact of a managerial change on team selection, and Liverpool's broader ambitions after a Champions League campaign that ended in a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and a Premier League title defence that fell short of expectations. Chiesa's contract situation adds further weight, as he has two years left on his deal and has been linked with moves elsewhere, including to Como and back to former club Juventus.
Pre-season friendlies, such as the win over Sunderland in Nashville, are often used by players in Chiesa's position to make a case for inclusion once the competitive season begins, since they offer a chance to impress a new coaching setup before squad decisions are finalised.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Federico Chiesa hopes for ‘new chapter’ at Liverpool under Andoni Iraola”.