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Federico Chiesa of Liverpool(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

It has been one of the ongoing stories of the transfer summer.

Instead, the player in question is Federico Chiesa, who many Liverpool supporters had anticipated would have departed for pastures new by the time the new Premier League season came around.

But with less than 48 hours until Arne Slot's side begin the defence of the championship at home to Bournemouth on Friday evening, Chiesa is almost certain to be where he spent much of his debut campaign for the Anfield outfit - on the bench.



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Chiesa made only 14 appearances for Liverpool last season, 10 of which were as substitute.

He was also an unused replacement on 17 occasions.

And the Italian was once again left kicking his heels on the sidelines at Wembley on Sunday when the only senior outfield player not to be given minutes as the Reds were eventually beaten on penalties by Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.

The decision from Slot not so use Chiesa was even more curious given, once new signing Hugo Ekitike was substituted with 20 minutes remaining, it left Liverpool without a centre forward and ultimately further handed the initiative to Palace.

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Slot's post-match comments only fuelled the fire.

of course we have Federico but he has not been on the Asian tour as well, so there’s not a lot to replace him with," said the Reds boss.

“So, if he gets an injury at this moment of time, that would be a big risk for the Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal games."

True, Chiesa had sat out the Asia tour with a minor issue.

But he had featured in the opening two friendlies - scoring against Stoke City - and then had 33 minutes in the main friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield last week.

Indeed, if Chiesa needed more match sharpness, then a cameo at Wembley - where, don't forget, he scored in the League Cup final loss to Newcastle United in March - would have seemed an ideal opportunity.

In terms of numbers, Slot is right to be concerned given Liverpool remain short in attack having replaced Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota thus far with just Ekitike.

Chiesa is needed.

Reports out of Italy have claimed throughout the summer Chiesa would prefer a return to Italy - Atalanta among a number of interested clubs - in an attempt to seek regular minutes and a chance to force his way into his country's World Cup squad, should they qualify for next summer's tournament.

But the latest claim in recent days has been that Liverpool are reluctant to sell as it would leave them short of attacking options, despite Chiesa continuing to be so rarely utilised.

That, of course, may change should the Reds rekindle concrete interest in wantaway Newcastle United striker Isak.

But with Harvey Elliott also edging towards an exit - the 22-year-old held talks with RB Leipzig last week - Liverpool may still need to lean on Chiesa's versatility.

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Nevertheless, the smart money would be on the Italian being elsewhere come next month.
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