Liverpool star ‘open to anything’ after being blocked from January exit by Arne Slot

Federico Chiesa has revealed he could look to leave Liverpool this summer and will hold talks with Andoni Iraola over his future.

The Italian joined the Reds from Juventus in the summer of 2024 but has struggled to establish himself at Anfield and started just once in the Premier League last season.

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Having found playing time hard to come by under Arne Slot, Chiesa could be handed a lifeline following the Dutchman’s sacking.

Andoni Iraola has since been announced as Liverpool’s new head coach, meaning the 28-year-old will have a new chance to impress.

With Italy failing to qualify for this summer’s World Cup, Chiesa will report for Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the USA next month, looking to convince Iraola of his value.

But the winger has admitted he will seek talks with the Spaniard first before deciding on his future as he targets increased playing time.

‘Barely played’

Speaking to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport about his upcoming plans, Chiesa said: “I want to play. 

“If I don’t find consistency in the Premier League, I’ll have to look elsewhere. I barely played in my first year at Liverpool, and in the last one, very little. 

“I’ll go on a training camp in the US, then I’ll talk to the club and the new manager, Iraola, and we’ll see.”

Chiesa also revealed that he had a January exit blocked by Liverpool due to Alexander Isak’s injury and Mohamed Salah’s participation at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The ex-Juventus star continued: “I’ve played very little since the start of 2026. I have a great relationship with Liverpool. 

“In January, the club and Slot told me I couldn’t leave; they needed me, partly for numerical reasons. We were in a tight spot.

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“I understood the situation and I stayed with a smile. 

“People are always talking about Liverpool – last year they helped me win the Premier League.”

Among the clubs touted as potential next destinations for Chiesa are former side Juventus, while he has also been linked with Cesc Fabregas‘ Como, who recently qualified for the Champions League.

And the wideman refused to rule out a move to either side as he insisted game time is his priority next season.

Chiesa said: “I’m open to anything; the important thing is to play. 

“I’m not so presumptuous as to say: I have to be a starter. I’m ready to fight for a place, anywhere.”

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“Fabregas is a top coach; no one would have ever imagined Como like this: a beautiful team to watch, too.”

As for Juventus, where he previously starred between 2020 and 2024, Chiesa admitted he would welcome a return to Turin.

He said: “I’d like to return to the Bianconeri.

“I would never have left. It was also said that I wanted a lot of money, but the truth is different: I was never offered a renewal. We never even discussed it.

After explaining the circumstances of his 2024 exit, he added: “But Juventus is always in my heart, and I’d like to return.”

Chiesa’s Liverpool career

Chiesa joined Liverpool in August 2024 in a deal worth up to £12.5million, and was the first signing of the Arne Slot era.

But his time in Merseyside hasn’t gone to plan, having made 50 appearances in all competitions, with just nine starts.

During this time, the forward has scored five goals altogether, two of them in the Premier League, including a late winner against Bournemouth on the opening day of the 2025/26 season.

Despite this, he has endeared himself to supporters with his high-energy cameos off the bench and tasted Premier League glory in his debut season at Anfield.