Federico Chiesa is currently training with Liverpool’s Under-21 squad ahead of joining his new senior teammates, who are set to return next week.
The 26-year-old Italy international chose not to link up with his national team during the international break, having just completed his transfer to Merseyside last week.
As Chiesa adjusts to his new surroundings, he is participating in sessions with Barry Lewtas’s U21 squad at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby.
Meanwhile, the non-international members of Arne Slot’s first-team squad are expected to report for training on Monday.
With most of the senior team either on international duty or enjoying a short break, Chiesa is making use of the quieter period to settle in.
Despite not featuring for Juventus in Serie A before his £12.5 million transfer to Liverpool late last month, Chiesa was still included as a non-playing member of Italy’s squad by coach Luciano Spalletti.
This demonstrates his continued importance and influence within the national team setup.
Chiesa’s decision to remain in Liverpool during this period allows him and his wife, Lucia, to settle into their new life off the pitch, while he familiarizes himself with the club and prepares for the upcoming season.
The forward hasn’t played since Italy’s Euro 2024 exit in the Round of 16 against Switzerland on June 29.
His lack of game time stems from new Juventus manager Thiago Motta, who excluded Federico Chiesa from his plans, leaving him sidelined with only 12 months remaining on his contract in Turin.
“We spoke with Chiesa and made a balanced assessment,” said Italy manager Spalletti on Monday.
“I would have brought him as an additional player but not have him participate in the two matches.
“He told me that he had spoken with his new club and needed to do specific preparation to work with them.
“There was a need to develop a strong, hard training period, which must adapt to the new working methods.”
Liverpool believe Federico Chiesa has the quality to make a valuable contribution to their frontline in the long term, but they see no need to rush his return to action.
Having had virtually no pre-season, it remains uncertain whether he will be deemed ready for the Carabao Cup clash against West Ham United on September 25.
The versatile forward trained with his new teammates on Friday, August 30, as they prepared for last Sunday’s 3-0 win over Manchester United.
However, with all five of Arne Slot’s other forwards fit and available – and with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota already among the goals this season – there is no immediate pressure to introduce Chiesa into the squad too soon.
“We should take care of him in the beginning because he didn’t train with [Juventus] in the last two weeks, but before he did,” Arne Slot said last week.
“He hasn’t played many game minutes yet, but we have very good performance staff, and we will build him up in the right way and, hopefully, can see his quality in the near future.”
Meanwhile, Curtis Jones is on track to win his fitness battle ahead of Liverpool’s return to Premier League action at Anfield, where they will host Nottingham Forest on September 14.
The midfielder has missed the last two games due to a minor injury but has been undergoing rehabilitation at the training ground in recent days.
He is expected to be fit for the match against Nottingham Forest following the international break.
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