'It's simple': Manager drops ENORMOUS hint over why Federico Chiesa is not playing | OneFootball

Liverpool fans have long been curious about Arne Slot’s treatment of Federico Chiesa.

The £12.5m signing from Juventus has struggled for regular game time under the Dutchman since moving to Anfield in September 2024.

His first season on Merseyside was a disappointment from a personal perspective - although he finished the campaign with a Premier League winners’ medal.

It was speculated that the 27-year-old could move back to Serie A over the summer - having been left out of Liverpool’s preseason tour to Asia.

Chiesa just can't seem to get going

However the winger got his head down and worked hard over the offseason - elbowing his way into contention for the opening weekend of the Premier League.

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He scored off the bench against Bournemouth - with his Reds’ career finally threatening to catch light. But more disappointment was to follow - with Chiesa left out of the Liverpool squad for the Champions League league phase.

Although he’s been restored to the squad following an injury to Giovanni Leoni, he’s no closer to the first-team reckoning under Slot.

Gattuso says Chiesa STILL isn't fit

Chiesa has got a decent record this term - two goals and two assists - but has had to settle for a back-up role.

He didn’t come off the bench in the weekend defeat to Chelsea despite Mo Salah having a poor match - raising more questions as to why Slot wasn’t using him more.

But those appear to have been answered by Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso.

The Azzurri boss is again without Chiesa in the ranks for the FIFA World Cup qualification matches this month - and he has disclosed that the former Fiorentina favourite is STILL not fully fit.

© IMAGO - Federico Chiesa Liverpool

Chiesa becoming fan favourite

“The Chiesa issue is simple: I talk a lot with my players, I stress them a lot,” he told the press as per Calciomercato.

“I have a long chat with Fede every week, and for my part, he knows what I think about him, but then you have to respect what a player tells you.

“He doesn't feel 100% and wants to be 100% well, that's the truth."

Overall Chiesa has played only 20 times for Liverpool since moving from Serie A - totalling just over 600 minutes on the pitch.

Fans have taken the Italian international to their hearts - and he scored the Reds’ only goal in their defeat to Newcastle in the EFL Cup final last season.