Chiesa faces Liverpool exit as game time dries up

Federico Chiesa, the 29‑year‑old Italy forward, remains on Liverpool’s books but is not trusted to play a meaningful role as his game time dries up, and his chances with Italy have similarly faded.

Federico Chiesa faces a Liverpool exit as game time dries up.

That is the reality.

Under Andoni Iraola, the Italy forward has barely featured this season and, when a player is out of the club picture, the national team usually follows.

Chiesa has not played for Italy since 2024.

He was included in Gennaro Gattuso’s first squad ahead of the World Cup play‑offs earlier this year, then withdrew.

He was left out again in June, and Roberto Mancini has also overlooked him during the current international break.

None of that is surprising when the minutes at club level have almost disappeared.

“I spoke to Federico many times, also recently,” Mancini said. “He’s not playing right now and must regain fitness, but he is 29, still in his physical maturity; I think he can return soon.”

That sounds supportive, and it probably is, but there is a condition attached: Chiesa needs regular football.

International managers can talk about quality and experience all they want, but they pick players who are active, sharp and available; at present Chiesa is none of those consistently enough.

Club injury and limited minutes

The 2026/27 campaign started badly for him. A back injury kept him out of Liverpool’s first five Premier League matches.

Since returning, he has made only one appearance, amounting to two late minutes in the 3‑0 defeat to Manchester City.

He has been omitted from Liverpool’s squad in three of the last four matches.

He was also left out of the club’s Champions League squad for the league phase.

Transfer speculation and Italy hopes

Chiesa has made 51 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, with five goals and five assists, though most of those outings came from the bench.

With Lewis Koumas and others apparently ahead of him, the route back looks narrow.

If he cannot force his way into Iraola’s plans soon, a January transfer feels like the logical outcome.

Serie A interest has followed him for a while, and regular football, more than promises, is what he needs now.

Without it, his Liverpool future stays uncertain and his Italy comeback stays on hold.