Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Federico Chiesa of Liverpool warms up prior to the pre-season friendly match between Preston North End and Liverpool at Deepdale(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)

The majority of Arne Slot’s squad should get a run-out when Liverpool face Athletic Bilbao in their pre-season double-header at Anfield on Monday.

The Reds are set to host the La Liga outfit in two clashes, kicking off at 5pm and 8pm respectively.

Liverpool did similar last year against Sevilla and Las Palmas as Slot split his squad in two to ensure minutes for all senior stars, though the latter outing took place behind closed doors.



In contrast, supporters will be present for both clashes with Bilbao.

However, there are question marks hanging over the heads over a handful of players and their potential involvement ahead of Monday’s matches.

READ MORE:Eddie Howe casts fresh doubt over Alexander Isak future after rejected Liverpool bidREAD MORE:Liverpool offer reminder of how Alexander Isak saga could be resolved after transfer U-turn

Tyler Morton will most likely not be involved.

However, he is one of a number of current Reds players who continue to be linked with a move away from the club.

The likes of the Scotland international, Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott have been used throughout pre-season despite ongoing transfer speculation.

In contrast, it was decided that Luis Diaz would not feature for the club while his own future remained uncertain, ahead of the Colombian signing for Bayern Munich in a £65.5m deal.

If there were to be any unexpected absences against Bilbao, it will only further fuel speculation about possible summer transfers.

But the potential involvement of Federico Chiesa is perhaps one of the more intriguing transfer sub-plots ahead of Liverpool returning to action on home soil.

The Italian registered a goal and an assist during the Reds’ pre-season wins over Preston North End and Stoke City, but was then left out of the travelling squad for the trip to Asia only hours after scoring late on against the Potters.

His absence was put down to a ‘minor issue’, but it inevitably led to further questions about the forward’s future at Anfield after a first season on the fringes under Slot.

Chiesa has previously admitted he would be open to a return to Serie A, while he will need to play more regularly if he is to earn an Italy recall ahead of the World Cup.

He continues to be linked with a host of clubs, including Napoli, AS Roma, AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, Como and Atletico Madrid.

And Atalanta could soon be tempted to firm up interest in the forward after their star player, Ademola Lookman, took to social media to hit out at the club over broken promises and confirm he had put in a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Inter Milan.

Consequently, it will be curious to see if Chiesa is back involved against Bilbao or not as speculation about his future continues.

Minor issue or not, if the forward is absent again, it would be hard not to theorise that, on this occasion, two plus two equals four.

Liverpool currently boast five senior attacking options in Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Nunez and Chiesa, while the versatility of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai and Elliott, plus the presence of both Rio Ngumoha and Doak, provides further depth.

Meanwhile, their interest in Alexander Isak is well-documented after seeing an £110m bid rejected by Newcastle United rejected on Friday.

Regardless of what happens with the Swede, it would appear that the Reds will still need to further bolster their attacking ranks if the anticipated exits take place.

WELCOME to Blood Red – your NEW monthly fix from the ECHO covering all you need to know about what’s happening at Liverpool FC.

Our brilliant team of writers cover Arne Slot’s side all season long, home, away and abroad seven days a week to produce the best content every day for the ECHO, both in print and online.

And now this monthly print edition of Blood Red will add to that mix with top features, interviews, analysis, comment, nostalgia, previews – and sometimes a bit of humour!

Available to buy here.

On paper, there is still room for the likes of Chiesa at Liverpool - especially following Diaz’s departure.

The Italian was signed as a deputy to Salah, who will miss more matches this season due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations over the festive period, but is also comfortable both upfront and on the left.

But, having started only four of his 14 appearances in his maiden season - with only one coming in the Premier League and that after the title was already won - it remains to be seen if Slot actually intends to utilise him in the forthcoming campaign or source alternative options from elsewhere.

Article continues below

With the Reds now back on home soil, their position could soon become a little clearer as Chiesa links back up with his team-mates.

Liverpool’s friendlies with Bilbao could offer a potential answer when it comes to the forward’s future and his place at Anfield, or, with a host of clubs watching on, only prompt more questions.

Either way, with four weeks to go until the transfer window closes, the speculation surrounding Chiesa is set to continue.


For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.