Federico Chiesa insists he is "happy here at Liverpool" and only "thinking about Liverpool" amid speculation over his future. The 28-year-old Italian forward, who joined from Juventus in a £12.5m deal in 2024 and is contracted until 2028, scored in the first friendly of the Andoni Iraola era as Liverpool beat Sunderland 4-2.

Under previous manager Arne Slot, Chiesa started just one Premier League game and netted five times in 50 appearances across all competitions. He told La Gazzetta dello Sport in June: "If I don't find consistency in the Premier League, I'll have to look elsewhere." But after the Sunderland match, he struck a more positive tone: "I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything."

Asked about a fresh start under Iraola, appointed in June after Slot's dismissal, Chiesa said: "Maybe there have been too many fresh starts. But I don't care, I am trying to do my best for this new manager." He acknowledged wanting a bigger role last season but accepted the coach's decisions: "It is football. This year, let us say it is a new chapter."