The international break may have come at a good time for Liverpool, although that hasn’t prevented what feels like an interminable wait for the Reds to be back in action – especially if you’re one of the unfortunate players not to have been called up by your country.
Federico Chiesa has been in that very position for the last week or so. The move to Anfield has not worked so far for the Italian, and his lack of game time has certainly not improved his chances of getting back in Luciano Spalletti’s setup.
In fact, the Italy boss has been outspoken about wanting Chiesa to move back to Serie A, despite having been frozen out by Thiago Motta at Juventus last year. Motta has now been fired by the Turin club, something which has not gone unnoticed by Chiesa.
The 27-year-old doesn’t appear to be entertaining the idea of an early exit from Anfield, despite being linked with a number of clubs back in his homeland. His father has even insisted this week that he has no regrets over making the move to Merseyside, despite having made just 11 appearances so far this season.
“I can guarantee that Federico’s very happy at Liverpool,” Chiesa senior said. “We hope he can win the Premier League, we have no regrets about Juventus. He’s so happy at Liverpool.”
Perhaps Chiesa’s positive outlook is thanks to his last outing before the international break. Despite the Carabao Cup ultimately ending in disappointment for Liverpool, the Italian was perhaps the only player other than Harvey Elliott to come away with any credit, having scored in stoppage time to give the Reds the faintest glimmer of hope against Newcastle.
(Image: 2025 Rene Nijhuis/MB Media)
His cameo did leave plenty of questions as to why Arne Slot has given him so few opportunities this season. Earlier on in the season, it was put down to Chiesa struggling to get up to speed with his new teammates after missing pre-season, but with just two months of the campaign remaining, he hasn’t been able to get any more time out on the pitch.
You know the old saying though – make hay while the sun shines. Chiesa certainly seems to be smelling an opportunity now, and so should Slot.
Despite not being called up during the international break, the winger has not sat around and felt sorry for himself. Instead, he’s been seen training in full Liverpool gear back in Italy on his Instagram story, clearly eyeing up a chance during the Reds’ final nine games of the season.
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And, at this point, he should be given that chance. Of course, Mohamed Salah is unlikely to be dropped, even after a couple of disappointing outings recently, and with Cody Gakpo back fit and scoring for the Netherlands, Chiesa may still find it hard to get a start on either wing.
There is one other option available to him though through the center. Liverpool’s other options in that position – Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz – aren’t exactly firing at the moment, and Chiesa showed at Wembley he is just as capable with a perfectly-timed run and composed finish for his goal.
This surely has to be his chance now. Although Slot has been hesitant so far, he simply has to play Chiesa now.
