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Federico Chiesa of Liverpool celebrates after his vital strike against Bournemouth(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Arne Slot has hinted Federico Chiesa could still have a future at Liverpool after the Italian scored his first Premier League goal to help fire the Reds to victory against Bournemouth.

The forward restored the Premier League champions’ lead late on against the Cherries, only six minutes after coming on, as they started their title defence with a 4-2 victory.

Chiesa has been linked with a return to Italy throughout the summer, having struggled during his maiden season in England.



Making 14 appearances in his maiden campaign, he started only four times.

The 27-year-old was actually making only his third Premier League appearance at Anfield - and first since January - when introduced against Bournemouth.

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But despite his limited impact during his Liverpool career to date, the forward has established himself as a fan-favourite with his chant - sung to the tune of ‘Sway’ - one of the most popular on the terraces.

And Slot was delighted that Chiesa could reward supporters with a vital goal as he praised the forward for stepping up when turned to.

“As long as he is here it is definitely at Liverpool and I have no reason to believe it is going to change,” he said of the Italy international's future.

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“He had a hard time last season getting his fitness ready and unfortunately for him, he then missed the Asian tour and Joe Gomez the same.

“We lost Conor Bradley in the end so all my substitutions were related to players who couldn't go 90 minutes.

“At 2-2 you need a number nine.

I brought him in and he delivered and that is always positive for your future at the club

“The fans sung for him so many times last season and it is very nice for him to give them something in return.

“That is difficult for me to tell you (why supporters have taken to Chiesa so well), although I am a fan, I am never standing on the Kop and don't come up with these songs.

“The only thing I can come up with is Federico had a great history, was a big player deciding to go from Italy to England, which you don't see that much.

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“I don't know, maybe it is also a nice song to sing, but then I probably don’t give him the credits he deserves.”