Federico Chiesa set to STAY at Liverpool after latest update

Federico Chiesa now looks certain to stay at Liverpool after David Ornstein's latest update.

The Italian's arrival was seen as a major coup last summer. In Chiesa, Richard Hughes was able to sign a proven attacker, who has won some of the biggest trophies in the world for just £12m.

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Even though Chiesa didn't get as much game time as expected last season, he was still worth every penny. For the amount Liverpool spent on him, it was worth taking a gamble on the former Juventus attacker.

He's still retained his value as well, and Liverpool could make a profit on him - if they decide to sell. However, while there has been a lot of talk about Chiesa wanting to leave, he could actually be staying at the club.

At the end of the day, Liverpool are short of attacking options and Darwin Nunez could still leave as well. Luis Diaz still faces an uncertain future and if the right offer comes in for him, Liverpool may be tempted to sell.

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Given those potential departures, losing Chiesa on top of Nunez and Diaz may not be a risk worth taking for Liverpool. It would require the Reds to bring in at least two more attackers.

That's why Chiesa could actually stay at Liverpool next season and may not be on the move this summer. Especially after David Ornstein's latest update on the Italian's situation.

Writing in The Athletic, Ornstein claimed that Chiesa is now an option in the centre for Liverpool. Something we saw in the first game of pre-season with Slot option to play Chiesa in the centre role with Rio Ngumoha on the left and Mohamed Salah on the right.

And Chiesa caught the eye in that role, setting up the Reds' opening goal in the game and proving himself to be a constant nuisance.

Chiesa didn't get a lot of game time last season, playing just 466 minutes. However, in the minutes he did spend on the pitch, he did catch the eye.

In total, Chiesa scored twice and registered four assists averaging a goal contribution 0.77 per 90 minutes.

Only Cody Gakpo (0.80 per 90 minutes), Harvey Elliott (0.87 per 90 minutes) and Mohamed Salah (1.14 per 90 minutes) averaged more goal contributions for the Reds in all competitions last season.

Initially a lot of people thought Chiesa would be a back-up option for Salah. However, it has become apparent, Slot doesn't see Chiesa as a player suited to playing on the wing in his system.

However, playing centrally as a striker or as an attacking midfielder or supporting striker could actually be Chiesa's best role and the reason why Slot might keep him around.

The last five appearances he's made for Liverpool have all been playing in a central role, starting against Brighton and Preston and coming on as a substitute against Chelsea, Fulham and Newcastle United.

With Liverpool needing an option in the central role, Chiesa could prove to be the perfect back-up and the fact that the Ornstein has claimed Liverpool are now considering him as an option in the centre, would suggest the Reds are of the same notion, which would rule him out leaving this summer.

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It now looks like Chiesa is pretty much set to stay at the club, and that will delight many supporters considering he is a very popular figure at Anfield.

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