The 28-year-old has already suffered a major setback after being left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad for the second consecutive season. Despite remaining at Anfield during the summer and hoping to fight his way into Andoni Iraola’s plans, Chiesa has once again found himself on the outside looking in.
And the timing could hardly be worse.
Chiesa is currently recovering from a muscle problem picked up during pre-season, with Liverpool expecting him to return to team training around the September/October international break. The club has described the injury as relatively minor, but his absence has arrived at a crucial moment as competition for attacking places continues to intensify.
The biggest concern for Chiesa, however, is not necessarily the injury.
It is the competition.
Liverpool have strengthened their attack with the arrival of Bradley Barcola, while Victor Muñoz has also added another option in the wide areas. With Cody Gakpo, Luis Díaz no longer at the club, and several other attacking options competing for minutes, Chiesa now faces a huge battle to convince Iraola that he deserves a regular role.
Last season offered little encouragement either.
Chiesa made 36 appearances across all competitions but managed only three goals and three assists, while starting just one Premier League match. Too often, he found himself being introduced late rather than trusted from the beginning.
That explains why his latest situation has sparked so much concern among Liverpool supporters.
According to recent reports, Chiesa is prepared to remain at Liverpool for now and fight for his opportunity. But if he returns from injury and still cannot secure meaningful minutes, he could reportedly push for an exit when the January transfer window opens.
There is an important twist, though.
Chiesa had previously been linked with a return to Serie A, but his father, Enrico Chiesa, recently indicated that his son remains happy at Liverpool and is not currently thinking about leaving. That suggests there is no confirmed transfer request or agreement at this stage.
So, for now, everything could come down to what happens when Chiesa gets back on the pitch.
If he returns strongly, produces goals and forces his way into Iraola’s starting XI, the January rumours could disappear as quickly as they arrived. 🔥
But if the Italian once again finds himself watching important matches from the bench while being overlooked for major competitions, the pressure could become impossible to ignore. 👀
For a player who once looked like one of Europe’s most explosive wingers, Chiesa’s Liverpool story has become a battle for relevance.
The next few months could determine whether he gets the chance to write a comeback chapter at Anfield… or prepares for a painful goodbye. 💔🔴
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