Liverpool appear to have reached a decision on Federico Chiesa’s future after a difficult debut season at Anfield, with Arne Slot already assessing which players will form part of his plans for the 2026/27 campaign.
The Italy international arrived on Merseyside with plenty of expectation following his move from Juventus, but injuries and a lack of consistent opportunities have prevented him from making the impact many supporters had hoped for.
Chiesa has shown flashes of his quality when called upon, yet he has struggled to cement a regular place in Slot’s starting XI.
That was the case again in Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa, when Slot turned to his bench in an effort to spark a comeback at Villa Park. the attacker was introduced in the second half and looked lively, forcing Emiliano Martínez into a sharp save late on. However, with Villa already in control, the effort proved little more than a consolation moment on another frustrating evening for the Reds.
With the summer transfer window approaching, Slot is expected to oversee significant changes to his squad as he looks to build a team capable of challenging on all fronts next season.
Chiesa’s limited role and injury setbacks have led to increasing speculation over whether he will remain at Anfield, and Liverpool have now reportedly made a firm decision on the winger’s future.
This campaign for the 28-year-old has been identical to the last, where he hasn’t been relied upon as often as Kopites may expect, and that has shown in his minutes this season.
Injuries have undoubtedly hampered his ability to build momentum at Liverpool, while intense competition in the club’s forward line has made it even harder for him to secure regular minutes. The Italian has found opportunities limited throughout the season, and his position in Arne Slot’s thinking appears to have slipped further in recent months.
That has been particularly evident when Slot has chosen alternative options in wide areas, even when Mohamed Salah has been unavailable.
On several occasions, the Liverpool head coach has preferred to deploy Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai in advanced roles rather than turn to Chiesa, a clear indication that the winger is no longer viewed as a key part of the club’s attacking plans.
He’s played 26 Premier League games, though he has only started once. That came in December in a 2-1 win at Anfield over Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he was subbed off on the 61-minute mark and the cameo at Villa Park may have been his last for the Anfield outfit.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirms that he’s likely out of the door this summer, after just two years on the shores of Merseyside. He said, “Federico Chiesa is set to leave Liverpool this summer and, barring any surprises, he’ll be on his way out. A return to Serie A is a possibility.” The Italian was the first signing made in the Slot era, and the only signing of the 2024/25 summer window.
He moved from Juventus for just over £10 million, with supporters expecting him to offer competition across the attacking areas, while mainly being Mohamed Salah’s backup, though that has rarely been the case, even when the Egyptian has been injured or at the African Cup of Nations.
Despite the lack of opportunities under the Dutch head coach, he has become adored by the Liverpool faithful, with his song echoing around Anfield even when he isn’t on the pitch. His work rate is second to none when he features in Red, and it’s that attitude of winning the ball at whatever it takes that has earned him much respect from fans.
He’s been a part of some special moments along the way, too. He gave them a lifeline in the Carabao Cup final, though they would ultimately lose the final 2-1 to Newcastle.
He was a member of the title-winning side, becoming the second Italian to win the English league title behind Mario Balotelli when at Manchester City in 2011/12, and a last-gasp goal secured a 4-2 win over Bournemouth on the first day of the 2025/26 season.
With all that being said, there is still an enigma around what could have been when talking about Chiesa in Red. In 2021, he made a mark in England during the Euros, being an instrumental figure in their success. He was one of the most exciting talents in Europe, and Jurgen Klopp’s side reportedly had interest, despite an £80 million price tag, though fitness issues have played a major role in the ruin of the Italian.
Initially, he was ruled out for three months after he made the switch to England, though for the majority of the time, he’s been available; his fitness problems have just caused him to miss matches. It comes across to fans that those issues have not only affected how he plays on the pitch, but also his relationship with the head coach, as a lack of trust has been built, represented in his starts.
Liverpool offered him a fresh start away from the pressure of Italy, though the stress has only increased, and without a clear future at the club, the most sense for him is returning to Serie A. The Reds will hope to get a good fee to help their rebuild efforts, though the fee they paid in 2024 will be tough to make back this time around.