Federico Chiesa scored in Liverpool's 4-2 pre-season friendly win over Sunderland, marking his first goal under manager Andoni Iraola. The Italian forward, who joined from Juventus in 2024 for £12.5 million and is under contract until 2028, has started just one Premier League game across two seasons at Anfield. Under previous manager Arne Slot, Chiesa made 50 appearances in all competitions, scoring five times.
After the match, Chiesa said he is currently happy at Liverpool and is fully focused on the club, adding that he loves the fans and the environment. He acknowledged past frustrations, noting he felt ready for a bigger role last season but accepted the coach's decisions. Referring to the managerial change, he described the current phase as "a new chapter" and said he is committed to earning playing time under Iraola. In June, Chiesa had told La Gazzetta dello Sport that if he failed to find consistency in the Premier League, he would consider leaving.
Chiesa's public declaration of commitment contrasts with his June admission that he might leave if he couldn't secure consistent playtime. His role under Iraola will test whether a change in management truly resets opportunity or simply repeats past patterns. The forward's contract runs until 2028, but his influence depends on decisions made by a new coach who has yet to prove his selection preferences.
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