Federico Chiesa determined to earn Liverpool role under Andoni Iraola after fresh start at Anfield

• Federico Chiesa says he is committed to Liverpool and is determined to earn a bigger role under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
• The Italy international believes Iraola’s arrival offers every player a fresh opportunity after a frustrating spell under Arne Slot.
• Chiesa insists Liverpool must raise their standards this season after an underwhelming campaign that ended with Champions League qualification.

Federico Chiesa has insisted he remains fully committed to Liverpool and is determined to establish himself under new head coach Andoni Iraola after two difficult seasons at Anfield.

The Italy international has struggled for regular opportunities since completing a $16.6 million move from Juventus in August 2024, starting only two Premier League matches during Arne Slot’s tenure. His prospects, however, have been boosted by Iraola’s arrival, and Chiesa hopes the managerial change will provide the opportunity he has been waiting for.

Speaking after scoring in Liverpool’s 4-2 preseason victory over Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday, Chiesa said the squad is adapting to the demands of their new coach.

“We didn’t just start, we have been training two weeks now with a new coach,” Chiesa said. “We have seen what he wants. He wants high intensity, one versus one all over the pitch, that’s what we wanted to show today. Of course it is hard, it is preseason.”

The 27-year-old made it clear that his focus remains on succeeding at Liverpool despite continued speculation surrounding his future.

“Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool,” he said. “I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything. I am doing the best I can to have a chance here. And then we will see. At the minute, the only thing I am thinking about is Liverpool.”

Chiesa described Iraola’s appointment as another opportunity to prove himself, although he admitted he has experienced similar situations before.

“I don’t know, it is difficult to say,” he said when asked whether the new manager represented a turning point. “It is always a fresh start at the beginning of the year. Maybe there have been too many fresh starts. But I don’t care, I am trying to do my best for this new manager. Last season under Arne Slot, I was trying to do my best.”

The forward acknowledged that he expected greater involvement during the previous campaign but accepted the decisions made by Liverpool’s former head coach.

“Last year I felt ready for a bigger role, then it depended on the coach whether he wanted me to play or not,” Chiesa said.

“Of course I wanted to play more but it is what it is. The gaffer decided to do so, he had his game plans, he took his decisions, I have nothing to say about that. It is football.”

With Iraola now leading the club, Chiesa believes every player starts again on equal footing.

“This year, let us say it is a new chapter,” he said. “There is a new manager and I have to focus on that. The only conversations I had with Iraola were about pressing and tactics.”

Liverpool enter the new campaign looking to recover from a disappointing season in which they only secured Champions League qualification by finishing fifth on the final day of the Premier League campaign.

Fenway Sports Group responded by replacing Slot with Iraola, who has been tasked with restoring Liverpool’s competitiveness through a more aggressive, front-foot style.

Chiesa believes the club must deliver a stronger campaign across all competitions.

“Liverpool deserves more,” he said. “Two years ago, we were Premier League champions. Last year, we almost went out of the Champions League spots. We were battling for fifth, which was enough at the time but as we know usually only four go in.”

“We were lucky. It was a tough season last year and this season we need to do better, in the Champions League as well. We went out to PSG, we want to go further in the competition and then we want to be even better in the Premier League as well.”