Forward Federico Chiesa argues that if he didn’t enjoy the competitive challenges brought to him by Liverpool’s versatile team, he would have already left him for an easier life.
Italian International enjoyed his best match since it arrived as the only contract last summer in the Man of the Man performance, winning the championship side Southampton’s 2-1 Carabao Cup in the 2-1 Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
He provided assists to the British records and signed Alexander Isaac and Hugo Ekitique. The pair alone cost a total of £200 million in the window of the important transfer business that appears to further limit opportunities for cheesa.
The future looks bleak as the £100 million signature Florian Wirtz also arrived, and signed the appearance of 17-year-old Rio ngumoha, so the former Juventus man quickly returned to Serie A.
However, when his private jet flew through Anfield on the day of signing 13 months ago, Chiesa was captured that you would never walk alone, and was not ready to give so easily.
“I play for top clubs. This could be one of the top three in the world. It’s Liverpool. Of course they buy top players. Of course the competition is high. If you don’t need competition, I’ll go to another team.
“But I want to compete. I want to play here. Competition helps you become a better player.”
Already this season, Chiesa has been featured for 137 minutes for £150,000, and has one goal. In the previous campaign, he struggled with match fitness until the third round of the FA Cup in January, managing just 465 minutes in 14 appearances, so he passed that mark.
“I feel much better physically. I think I played more this year than last year. I’m happy and I have to continue this path,” he added the 27-year-old, 27, who scored a crucial second half goal in the opening day’s 4-2 Premier League victory.
“It was really difficult, but I don’t think I was at the level that the coach wanted me to play. I understood his choice. This year is different. I felt better physically and mentally. My coach saw this and gave me more opportunities.
“We are pleased to have made some contributions in the Premier League, and that is what Liverpool wants from every player that plays for them, that is what the coaches want.
“If you’re playing for Liverpool, you have to be able to make a difference. You’re so happy right now and you have to continue working hard to get more opportunities in the future.”
Despite their appearances, Chiesa has become something of a KOP’s cult hero with a very popular song, even if he has created a passionate online discussion in relation to the language he uses towards Juventus, taking into account the disaster history of Heysel shared by the two clubs.
“Since last year, I felt I needed to give them something back. In my first few appearances of the year, I gave them something, and I want to continue doing that,” he said.
“I like chanting, there’s nothing wrong with that, but I have to give them more. The support is just amazing.”
Chiesa has even been removed from the Champions League team to roam the UEFA quota against overseas players.
“Of course I was disappointed that I’m not a Champions League team, so playing on it is a dream for every player. I told my coach, “OK, it’s fine.” I continue to work hard and get a chance in the Carabao Cup and Premier League. I’m a professional player.
