Roy Keane lands subtle dig at Liverpool star after recent struggles | OneFootball

Federico Chiesa’s Liverpool Future Faces More Questions After Roy Keane Remark

Federico Chiesa has become an easy talking point at Liverpool, and the latest debate around the Italian forward says plenty about where he currently stands in Andoni Iraola’s squad. After a summer that saw several familiar faces move on, Chiesa remains at Anfield, even though his own future had appeared far from certain.

Liverpool have undergone notable change since the window opened. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all left on free transfers, while Curtis Jones completed a £30m switch to Inter Milan. Against that backdrop, Chiesa was one of the names regularly mentioned in exit speculation, particularly with suggestions of a return to Serie A.

Instead, he is still on Merseyside, and that prompted a cutting reaction from Roy Keane when his name came up in discussion. As Jamie Carragher assessed Liverpool’s squad options on Stick to Football, he suggested that Chiesa and Wataru Endo “aren’t gonna kick a ball” for the club this season. Keane then interrupted with the withering line, “Is he still there?”

Roy Keane comment underlines Chiesa perception

It was a sharp putdown, but it also reflected how peripheral Chiesa has felt for long periods since arriving at Liverpool. His talent has never really been in doubt, yet his role has remained limited. Last season he appeared in 26 Premier League matches, but started only once, at home to Wolves in December. That figure alone captures his lack of standing in the side.

There is context behind his absence from the first two league games of this campaign. Chiesa has been dealing with a minor injury suffered during a pre-season meeting with Como, and Iraola has already indicated that the winger is expected to resume training during the international break in late September.

Andoni Iraola has difficult Liverpool decisions ahead

That timeline means more missed matches are likely, and it leaves Chiesa trying to re-enter a squad that already looks crowded in wide areas. The arrival of Bradley Barcola has increased competition even further, giving Liverpool five senior winger options. For a player who was already fighting for relevance, that is hardly ideal.

There is still a route to usefulness, though. Chiesa remains the only natural right-sided forward in the senior group, and that could yet offer him opportunities once fully fit. Iraola will need rotation across a long season, and a sharp, motivated Chiesa can still provide quality in moments.

Federico Chiesa still has Liverpool point to prove

For now, the bigger issue is perception. Keane’s jab landed because Chiesa’s Liverpool career has yet to properly ignite. If he is to change that narrative, the response will have to come on the pitch. Even if starts remain scarce, meaningful contributions from the bench could still shift the conversation around his Liverpool future.

At this stage, Chiesa looks set for another season on the fringes, but football can turn quickly. If he returns fit and takes his chance, the question of “Is he still there?” may soon sound badly dated.