The 28-year-old Italy international has struggled to nail down a spot in the Liverpool side since his arrival from Juventus in the summer of 2024. Chiesa made 26 appearances in the English top flight during the 2025-26 season, but 25 of those were off the bench in the second half.
The departure of Mohamed Salah over the summer and the long-term injury to Hugo Ekitike might have given Chiesa a chance to secure a larger role in the Liverpool squad. However, it seems that the new head coach, Andoni Iraola, has other plans. Iraola had started Chiesa in Liverpool's final pre-season friendly of the summer against Como last weekend, but this has not translated to a spot in the starting lineup for the season opener.
Liverpool will line up with Cody Gakpo on the left wing, 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha on the right, and Florian Wirtz behind centre-forward Alexander Isak. The attacking options on the bench include summer signing Victor Munoz and 20-year-old Lewis Koumas, who spent last season on loan in the Championship with Hull City.
The Reds will take on Newcastle in their season opener on Sunday afternoon at St. James's Park.