Chiesa’s numbers highlight struggles at Liverpool

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Federico Chiesa’s period at Liverpool has been defined by restricted playing time, limited involvement in major competitions, and strong competition for attacking roles.

Since arriving from Juventus in August 2024 for a reported fee of £10–12 million, the 27-year-old forward has yet to establish himself as a regular presence in the Liverpool squad.

In his debut season (2024/25), Chiesa accumulated only 104 Premier League minutes across six appearances. He registered no goals or assists, with his sole league start coming in May against Brighton after Liverpool had already secured the league title. For most of the campaign, he was omitted from matchday squads, making his first year largely inactive.

The current season (2025/26) has brought a modest increase in participation. Chiesa has featured in five competitive fixtures: four in the Premier League and one in the Carabao Cup. His most significant contribution came earlier this week in the Carabao Cup third round, when he assisted goals for Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in a 2–1 win over Southampton.

On the opening day of the Premier League season, he also scored in the 88th minute against Bournemouth in a 3–2 victory. These outputs marked his first recorded attacking contributions for Liverpool.

Despite this progress, Chiesa remains outside Liverpool’s Champions League squad. Owing to UEFA registration rules and the club’s shortage of home-grown players, manager Arne Slot opted to include 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha in the 23-man list instead.

Injuries elsewhere in the squad, such as Giovanni Leoni’s recent absence, could potentially provide an opportunity for reinstatement, but his position remains dependent on squad circumstances.

Competition within the forward line further restricts his role. Chiesa is currently behind Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike in the selection order. With Ekitike suspended after a red card against Southampton, Chiesa may see increased domestic minutes in the short term, but his long-term involvement is unresolved.

From a statistical perspective, his Liverpool record illustrates the limited impact:

2024/25 season: 6 appearances, 104 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists.

2025/26 season (to date): 5 appearances, 1 goal, 2 assists.

Liverpool total: 11 appearances, 1 goal, 2 assists over one and a half seasons.

At 27, Chiesa is at a stage where consistent minutes are important. His ability to secure more regular involvement in domestic competitions will determine whether he becomes part of Liverpool’s rotation or remains on the fringes of the squad.

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images

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