Liverpool star shows he is ready to STAY

Liverpool are at the point of the transfer window where the Premier League season has started and the impact on some of the players under speculation is going to be fascinating to watch.

In this scenario, the chance to prove your worth to the club is giftwrapped and some players will step up to the plate, while others will prefer to stay in the shadows in order to get the move they desire.

In the Reds' opening match of the season it was difficult to judge the players of both the old and new regime, as they're still getting to know each other on a personal and sporting level. Arne Slot will be aware of this and so the standout performances almost matter more now than later in the season.

Federico Chiesa, for example, is a name that you figured would be on the way out this season, having read reports claiming he wants to return to Italy in order to get regular minutes to push for a place in Italy's squad for the World Cup next summer. Instead, he's proved his worth to Liverpool.

Chiesa is ready to stay this season

Liverpool fans might also have felt that Chiesa's future was better placed elsewhere after watching the Italian last season, but against Bournemouth on Friday night, he was a crucial difference-maker.

He came on in the 82nd minute, with the Reds having gone from 2-0 a lead after 63 minutes to 2-2 after 76 minutes, but the onlooking fans all wished and hoped that there would be a twist in the tale.

And of course, there was one. The rollercoaster of a contest had a few more loops to complete and the Italian delivered his first Premier League goal for Liverpool just six minutes into his mini cameo.

The entirety of Anfield took a sigh of relief as he ran over to the corner in celebration, delivering one of the most perfect knee slides I've ever seen in exhilaration. You felt like he finally had liftoff with us.

Over the next few weeks, a decision will need to be made on his future, and from a purely numbers perspective, Liverpool would be making an extremely bold call if they choose to let him leave.

The goal will not erase the concerns we all previously had with Chiesa, but he's contracted until 2028 and still only 27 years old - one year older than Cody Gakpo. His potential remains high and if his fitness troubles are behind him, then he can make a real difference to his throughout this season.

Confidence will also have been a huge thing for him last time and getting off to a flier at the start of this year's campaign should help to give him more self-belief for when he's next brought on for us.

As part of his celebration, he touched the badge, which can only really suggest to us that he might be looking to stay this season. Of course, it will be a little touch and go as to whether he does in fact stay or not, but we need him unless someone will replace him and his impact on Friday was massive.

Let's hope it's just the start of a new beginning for him. He's a real fan-favourite.

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