Chiesa seeks "a new chapter" with Iraola after frustrating spell under Slot

Federico Chiesa has said he wants "a new chapter" at Liverpool with Andoni Iraola after a frustrating time under Arne Slot. The forward also suggested the club were lucky to qualify for the Champions League last season and found the net in a friendly win against Sunderland.

Chiesa’s two years at Anfield have been marked by limited playing time and transfer speculation linking him with a return to Italy this summer. Although he recorded 36 appearances under Slot last season, only five of those outings were starts, a statistic that underlined his difficulty in securing regular minutes. The mismatch between appearances on paper and starting opportunities has shaped the narrative around his spell in England.

The striker’s comment about wanting "a new chapter" came amid a period of managerial transition at Liverpool and ongoing scrutiny over squad selection. Chiesa has been searching for consistency and a clearer role in the team; his recent goal in the friendly with Sunderland provided a rare positive note in pre-season preparations. That scoreline affirmed his capacity to contribute when given chances, even if they have been intermittent.

Reports of a possible move back to Italy have gathered pace because of his restricted role at Anfield, though Chiesa remains under contract and involved in Liverpool’s early-season fixtures. His two-season stay in England has therefore been seen by some observers as underwhelming relative to expectations, with the limited number of starts frequently cited as evidence.

Statistically, the season under Slot produced what looked like a reasonable number of appearances but little on the minutes and starts front: 36 appearances last season with only five starts. Those figures feed into Chiesa’s broader assessment of his time under Slot as frustrating and into his public desire for a fresh start alongside Iraola.

Chiesa’s statement and recent pre-season form set up a period of renewed attention on his future at Liverpool. Whether the forward will secure the regular involvement he seeks under Andoni Iraola or pursue a return to Italy will remain a focal point for supporters and commentators as the new campaign approaches.