Liverpool’s January transfer plans have been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, particularly surrounding the future of Italian winger Federico Chiesa.
After a summer move from Juventus that was expected to bolster Jurgen Klopp’s attacking options, Chiesa’s start at Anfield has been marred by injury woes, leading to growing talk that the Reds may look to cut their losses. However, top Liverpool reporter James Pearce has decisively shut down these rumors, revealing the club’s true intentions with Chiesa and clarifying his current situation.
Despite initial excitement following Chiesa’s arrival, his fitness has been a major stumbling block. Since his £10 million move in the summer, the winger has struggled with injuries and has only managed 78 minutes of playing time for Liverpool, with just 19 of those minutes coming in the Premier League and Champions League combined. This lack of game time has prompted speculation that Liverpool could be ready to offload Chiesa in January, with recent reports from InterLive suggesting that his agent was already in talks with both Inter Milan and Roma about a potential move.
However, Pearce, who is a trusted source for Liverpool-related news, quickly addressed these rumors in a Q&A for The Athletic. Pearce confirmed that there is no truth to the suggestion that Liverpool are planning to sell Chiesa in January. Instead, the Reds are focused on giving the Italian winger the time and resources he needs to get back to full fitness. “Liverpool are basically giving him a mini pre-season in the hope that he can build up his fitness levels. It’s about handling the intensity of the training,” Pearce explained. “It’s too soon to write off Chiesa, and there’s no truth in the rumours that Liverpool are already thinking about offloading him.”
The reality of Chiesa’s situation is that, although his start at Liverpool has been disappointing, the club remains committed to helping him return to full fitness. Pearce also provided insight into the circumstances surrounding Chiesa’s move, pointing out that the winger was not coming off an injury-riddled season when he joined Liverpool. “He played 37 times for Juventus last season, so it’s not like he arrived at Anfield after an injury-plagued campaign,” Pearce clarified. “He was cheap at £10 million because he was down to the final year of his contract, and Juventus wanted to offload him from their wage bill.”
Advertisement
We’re on Social Media
Follow us on X
See more football highlights
Liverpool’s decision to sign Chiesa in the summer was seen as a low-risk move that could provide high rewards. While his injury issues have stalled his integration into Klopp’s squad, the club is not ready to abandon their investment just yet. In fact, the current plan for Chiesa is to treat this period as a “mini pre-season,” where the focus is on getting the player up to speed with the intensity of Premier League football. Pearce’s comments reflect the club’s belief that, once fully fit, Chiesa will be an important asset for Liverpool moving forward.
Chiesa’s manager, Arne Slot, also provided an update on the winger’s fitness before the international break. Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Slot acknowledged that the situation was less than ideal but expressed optimism for the future. “I would not use the word concern but it is far from ideal for him and us,” Slot said. “With the injury of Diogo Jota, we have four attackers available, so this could have been a great moment for him to get more playing time.”
Slot pointed to Chiesa’s lack of pre-season preparation as a major factor in his struggles to reach full fitness. “It is difficult for a player who missed out on pre-season and playing pre-season games and training sessions. You have to give a player more time to get to the intensity levels,” Slot explained. However, Slot was confident that once Chiesa reaches the necessary physical level, Liverpool will benefit from his inclusion in the team. “Once he is at that physical level, we will benefit from having him,” Slot added.
The expectation is that Chiesa will be ready to feature for Liverpool soon after the international break, with the Reds’ next match coming against Southampton on November 24. This will mark the beginning of a crucial stretch for Liverpool, as they face a series of high-profile fixtures. After Southampton, Liverpool will square off against Real Madrid in the Champions League, followed by tough domestic clashes against Manchester City and Newcastle. A visit to Goodison Park for the first Merseyside derby of the season against Everton will round off a demanding period for the team.
With this intense schedule ahead, Liverpool will need all of their attacking options firing on all cylinders. If Chiesa can overcome his fitness issues and return to his best form, he could be a key contributor during this challenging run of fixtures. However, for now, the focus is on patience and rehabilitation, as the club takes a long-term approach to integrating Chiesa into the first team.
The Reds have already demonstrated their commitment to Chiesa by not rushing him back into action. Instead, they are taking the time to ensure he is fully prepared for the demands of Premier League football. Given the nature of his injuries and the importance of ensuring his fitness for the remainder of the season, it is clear that Liverpool’s priority is to help Chiesa become an integral part of the squad, not to sell him prematurely.
As Chiesa works towards regaining full fitness, the speculation surrounding his future at the club will likely continue. However, with Pearce’s comments clarifying Liverpool’s stance and Slot’s optimism about Chiesa’s recovery, it is clear that the club is committed to his long-term success. While a January move away is not on the cards, Chiesa will need to prove his worth on the pitch when the opportunities arise, especially with such a demanding set of fixtures on the horizon.
Liverpool fans will be hoping that, once fully fit, Chiesa can live up to the promise he showed during his time at Juventus and become an important asset for the team. With the Reds aiming for both domestic and European glory, having a fully fit Chiesa available for selection could make all the difference in their push for trophies this season.