Liverpool launched its 2025/26 Premier League season spectacularly in Anfield, winning (4-2) against Bournemouth after a scenario rich in twists and turns. Carried by the excitement aroused by the arrival of their new Italian recruit, Giovanni Leoni, present in the stands, the Reds thought they were sheltered after the achievements of Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo, who had offered them a comfortable lead. But Bournemouth, far from abdicating, overthrew the course of the match in the second period thanks to an opportunistic double of Antoine Semenyo, sowing doubt among the reigning champions. It was then that another Azzurro made the difference: Federico Chiesa, who came into play to replace Florian Wirtz, signed a decisive action, delivering a dazzling volley in the area to restore the advantage to his own. His passionate celebration, finger pointed at the Liverpool badge, made an impression. In an additional electric time, the dearries, disorganized by pushing to return, ended up yielding definitively, Mohamed Salah sealing the success of his family with his usual sense of the goal. An introduction as reassuring as they are hectic for Liverpool, which confirms its status while revealing new offensive weapons.
Questioned at a press conference, Arne Slot did not chew her words on the performance of Chiesa and recognizes her first season to the Reds was complicated: “As long as he is there, he is definitely in Liverpool and I have no reason to believe that something will change. Last season, he had a hard time preparing for the match. Unfortunately for him, he missed our tour in Asia too, so you miss a lot of things, but not just him, Joe Gomez the same and we lost Conor Bradley. So all my replacements also concerned players who probably could not participate for 90 minutes. Federico, when we needed him, I brought him. At 2-2, you need your number 9, we have recruited it and he kept his promises and it's always positive for your future at the club“Said the Dutch coach. After the meeting, the 2021 European champion did not miss the opportunity to speak.
Chiesa Cash on its end at Juventus
Concerned by rumors of departure on the transfer window, as we had revealed to you last winter but also a few weeks ago, Federico Chiesa, by paying tribute to Diogo Jota, did not want to mention back in Italy immediately: “It was a great moment … But my thoughts go to Diogo (Jota, Editor's note). It was very moving. I must say that after the goal, I only thought of him, his brother and their family. Rumors about my future? We will talk about it in Liverpool, but I'm happy here. I am in one of the best world teams. I am happy to wear this jersey. I must always be ready and prove that I can play for this team ”he then said. A beautiful revenge for those who left Juventus through the small door.
Besides, Federico Chiesa wanted to give things to clear up. This decisive goal and the hero costume that he endorsed Friday evening against the Cherries are the fruit of a real individual battle to return to the high level after several physical seeds and a treatment on the part of Juventus which he considers unfair at the end of his adventure with the Bianconeri: “This goal rewards the work accomplished. Last year, I arrived in difficult conditions. I did not train with the Juventus team and I got there with great difficulty, because the pace is at another level. Do not train for a month, I don't know why, but it was their decision, it penalized me throughout my career in Anfield ”.
No departure this summer for Federico Chiesa then? Too early to say, but Arne Slot has received the message and the only certain thing today is that the staff of the Reds maintains a solid relationship with the Italian player: “The only thing I can find is that Federico had a great story, he played an important role by deciding to leave Italy for England. We don't see it often, Italian players go to England. I don't know, it may also be a beautiful song to sing! But I probably do not give him the credit he deserves. I can't give you the exact answer, but it may be something to do with it. He scored a very important goal in England for his national team. Maybe our fans remember». In any case, all of Italy is impatiently waiting to know the repercussions of this heroic match of Chiesa.
