Federico Chiesa phone call saw Liverpool star left OUT of Italy squad as update issued

Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso has revealed that Liverpool star Federico Chiesa has told him that he is still not fit, hence why he has been left out of the latest batch of international fixtures. The winger was a notable absence for the latest Italian squad.

They are set to take on Estonia and Israel over the next week. Asked why he decided not to include Chiesa, Gattuso has confirmed that the winger is still working his way back to full fitness.

Speaking in a press conference, he said: “The Chiesa issue is very simple. I talk to my players a lot, and I want to make that clear, a lot.

“I speak every week with Fede and he knows what I think of him, but I also have to respect what the player tells me. He does not feel at 100 per cent and wants to be at 100 per cent, that is the truth.”

Chiesa has endured a rollercoaster season for the Reds so far. After missing the majority of last term, the 27-year-old has only started one game under Arne Slot this season but he still has two goals and two assists to his name.

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He missed the Reds’ recent Champions League defeat to Galatasaray. Explaining his issue, boss Slot said: “He got a little niggle, I think it is the word you use here in England, in the last game against Palace.

"He tried it today, he was on the pitch in the beginning but he couldn't end the session, so we decided not to take him because in a few days it's Chelsea again."

Chiesa was named on the bench against Chelsea but was not called upon as Liverpool hunted a winning goal. Instead, Slot decided to substitute midfielder Wataru Endo on.

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Asked why he chose to do that, the Liverpool boss said: “If you look at the substitution we made, we brought Endo [on] who we normally bring in if we think we need a bit more control. The last 10-15 minutes were so open and we were still able maybe to create but definitely needed the control because we were already with Ryan Gravenberch playing as a centre-back.

“I don't think that substitution was too offensive, the rest was because we were 1-0 down.and tried to win but making offensive substitutions.”

Having not been called up for international duty, Chiesa will now have a week off ahead of Liverpool’s next game. The Reds’ next Premier League clash puts them against fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield.

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