Federico Chiesa issues transfer statement as Liverpool star looks forwards

The Italy international made just two Premier League starts across two seasons under Arne Slot, which came at Brighton in May 2025 - after the Reds had already secured the title - and Wolves the following campaign on December 27.

The arrival of Iraola, however, potentially opens the door to more minutes going forward and the Italian caught the eye with his cameo in Saturday's 4-2 win over Sunderland at GEODIS Park in Nashville. The former Juventus forward scored the Reds' third on the night and played a part in the fourth with a smart pass for Dominik Szoboszlai to set up Lewis Koumas and speaking to reporters after the game, Chiesa revealed that he is not harbouring any desire to leave Liverpool.

"Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool," Chiesa said. "I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything.

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"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. I don’t know, it is difficult to say [if this is a fresh start]. 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.

"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.

Chiesa also claimed that last season's limp fifth-place finish did not reflect the squad's true quality, admitting the club was "lucky" to secure Champions League qualification, which was only confirmed on the final day of the season.

And the 28-year-old stressed the desire in the dressing room to significantly improve on the troubled term under former boss Slot, adding: "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. We went out to PSG, we want to go further in the competition and then we want to even better in the Premier League as well.

"No. [fifth is nothing to celebrate][ at Liverpool, no. [Pre-season] is always hard, no? We didn’t just start, we have been training two weeks now with a new coach.

"We have seen what he wants. He wants high intensity, one versus one all over the pitch, that’s what we wanted to show today. Of course it is hard, it is pre-season."