--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-26T18:28:27.558Z last_updated: 2026-07-26T16:00:15+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/liverpool/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlZ3VhcmRpYW4uY29tL2Zvb3RiYWxsLzIwMjYvanVsLzI2L2ZlZGVyaWNvLWNoaWVzYS1saXZlcnBvb2wtYW5kb25pLWlyYW9sYS1hcm5lLXNsb3QtcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWU --- # Chiesa wants ‘new chapter’ with Iraola after frustrating time under Slot at Liverpool - **Source:** - **Published:** 26 Jul - **Club:** Liverpool - **Original URL:** https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/26/federico-chiesa-liverpool-andoni-iraola-arne-slot-premier-league Chiesa had frustrating two seasons under Arne Slot Prefer the Guardian on GoogleFederico Chiesa has said he wants “a new chapter” at Liverpool with Andoni Iraola following a frustrating time under Arne Slot and claimed the club were lucky to qualify for the Champions League last season. The Liverpool forward has been linked with a return to Italy this summer having struggled for minutes during his two years at Anfield. Chiesa made 36 appearances for Slot last season, a healthy return on paper, but only five were starts. He started one Premier League game last season despite the problems Liverpool had in attack because of injuries to Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké, and his last start came in the FA Cup fourth-round win against Brighton on 14 February. A change of head coach, Chiesa hopes, will herald a change in fortune as a Liverpool player. “It is always a fresh start at the beginning of the year,” said the 28-year-old, who produced a fine finish in Liverpool’s 4-2 friendly defeat of Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday. “Maybe there have been too many fresh starts [for him]. But I don’t care, I am trying to do my best for this new manager. Chiesa admits he has not discussed his future with Iraola since the Basque coach succeeded Slot in June. “The only conversations I had were about pressing and tactics,” he said. “He put me striker against Sunderland and he wants me there.” But the Italy international, who has two years remaining on his Liverpool contract, claimed his priority is to prove himself to the head coach rather than seek a return to Serie A. Como and former club Juventus have been linked with a move for the forward. “Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool,” said Chiesa. “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.” Liverpool secured Champions League qualification on the final day of a troubled season in May in what proved to be Slot’s final game in charge. Chiesa insists that was no cause for celebration at a club of Liverpool’s stature and there must be improvement next term. The forward said: “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 that competition and then we want to do even better in the Premier League as well.” Chiesa also hopes to reclaim his place in the national team next season, having missed out on several squads recently. Italy are now searching for a new head coach, having failed to qualify for the World Cup under Gennaro Gattuso. Chiesa said: “The situation is that I spoke to the manager a few times, Gattuso, and I was not ready physically at the time. When I got back in March, unfortunately I got injured. But I am looking forward to playing for the national team. I have won with the national team [the European Championship]. It is always nice to play and win for your national team.”