Chiesa happy but wants new chapter at Liverpool

Federico Chiesa has scored five goals for Liverpool since he joined in 2024

>Federico Chiesa insists he is only "thinking about Liverpool" amid continued speculation over his future.

>Across two seasons at Anfield under Arne Slot, the Italian forward has started one Premier League game and scored just five times in 50 appearances across all competitions.

>The 28-year-old, who joined from Juventus in a deal worth £12.5m in 2024 and is contracted until 2028, told La Gazzetta dello Sport, external in June: "If I don't find consistency in the Premier League, I'll have to look elsewhere."

>But after scoring in the first friendly of the Andoni Iraola era on Saturday where Liverpool beat Sunderland 4-2, Chiesa told reporters: "Right now, at the moment, 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."

>Asked whether it was a fresh start under new boss Iraola - appointed in June after Slot's dismissal - Chiesa added: "I don't know - it is difficult to say. 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 too.

>"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 gameplans, 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."

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