Gattuso shares details of his discussion with the Liverpool forward regarding a call-up to the Italy national team.

Liverpool’s attacking options were strengthened this summer with the additions of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, but Federico Chiesa is finding himself lower in the hierarchy.

The Italian forward has already scored this season, netting the decisive goal against Bournemouth at Anfield. However, his future role under manager Arne Slot remains uncertain.

Chiesa Excluded from Champions League and Italy Squads

While Chiesa has played more minutes in the first four Premier League matches than he did for much of last season, he was not included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad.

Italy’s coach Gennaro Gattuso has also clarified why the 27-year-old was omitted from the national team. In a press conference reported by CBS journalist Marco Messina on X, Gattuso stated: “I’ll say it again, we wanted to call him up, but I saw someone who wasn’t 100% sure. For me, you need to be fully energized when playing in these matches. He made it clear that he didn’t feel ready and needed to improve certain aspects.”

This aligns with how Slot has utilized him, keeping Chiesa as a bench option while starting new signings Isak and Ekitike.

Chiesa at a Crossroads in His Liverpool Career

Chiesa’s injury history has been a concern in recent seasons, and both Gattuso and Slot seem hesitant about his ability to handle high-intensity games every few days. With Liverpool having already signed Florian Wirtz and Isak for over £240 million, Chiesa’s chances of being a regular starter have diminished.

Although a much-discussed exit this summer did not happen, it indicates a desire from either Chiesa or the club for his time at Anfield to continue. For now, it appears he will focus on regaining fitness and contributing to the Premier League and domestic cups while missing out on the biggest European matches.