WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Federico Chiesa during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Federico Chiesa during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Federico Chiesa has emerged as a doubt to face Newcastle, missing training for reasons that are not believed to be transfer-related.
At this time of year, if a player misses training, you can never be quite sure whether they are really injured or on the brink of leaving a club.
After Chiesa missed the Reds’ training session on Wednesday, it was speculated that it could be because of a possible move.
However, reporter Fabrizio Romano has denied this is the case, saying that he thinks “there is a physical issue to consider.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola speaks to substitute Federico Chiesa (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola speaks to substitute Federico Chiesa (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Italian’s transfer-reporting compatriot said: “Chiesa didn’t train with Liverpool and so many people said to us, ‘Maybe it’s a warning sign that leads us to the possibility of seeing him in Italy’.
“I’m not aware of that. I’m not aware of any negotiations for Chiesa with Italian clubs at the moment, at least not yet.
“The fact Chiesa didn’t train today doesn’t mean he’s about to move to an Italian team or, in any case, that he’s about to leave.
“So yeah, I think there’s a physical issue to consider.
“So this is the current situation around Federico Chiesa, but don’t link this situation you may have read about Chiesa today to any potential [transfer] scenarios, at least not yet.”
Chiesa played 45 minutes on Sunday, up front against Como, as the Reds drew 0-0 in a friendly at their Kirkby training ground.
After an injury-hit first season at Liverpool, he was fit for the majority of last season but started just five games in all competitions.
Despite Hugo Ekitike potentially moving Chiesa up the pecking order, Andoni Iraola‘s appointment likely won’t bring it more game time for the 28-year-old.
Instead, quicker, younger forwards like Lewis Koumas could be a better option in the attack.
The case for Chiesa becomes even harder to make when you consider that he is taking up a homegrown place that could be filled by a new winger, namely Bradley Barcola.
What Federico Chiesa has said about his future
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa celebrates after scoring the third goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa celebrates after scoring the third goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While on Liverpool’s pre-season tour, Chiesa was asked about his future and replied: “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.
“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.”
Liverpool Squad Training For Newcastle
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Jacquet, Araujo, Kerkez, Frimpong, Tsimikas, Ramsay, Chambers
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Nyoni, Endo, Elliott, McConnell
Forwards: Isak, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ngumoha, Munoz, Koumas
Absent: Jaros, Leoni, Gomez, Ndukwe, Bradley, Bajcetic, Chiesa, Danns
Football – Anfield Branding
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, August 5, 2026: This Is Anfield... new branding on display at Anfield ahead of the 2026/27 season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 3
CHICAGO, USA - Wednesday, July 22, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones departs the team hotel for an afternoon training session in Chicago ahead of the start of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Doak, Mateta, Le Bris collage
Doak, Mateta, Le Bris collage