Liverpool star keen to depart in January

Virgil van Dijk’s added-time goal earned Liverpool a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in a thrilling Champions League encounter on Wednesday. 

The Reds had raced into a two-goal lead at Anfield courtesy of Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, but Marcus Llorente then scored either side of half-time to draw the visitors level.

The match looked to be heading for a draw until Liverpool captain Van Dijk’s late winner ensured victory for Arne Slot’s side.

Next up for the Premier League champions is a Merseyside derby against Everton, but in the meantime it has emerged that one member of Slot’s squad is keen to depart the club at the next available opportunity.

According to Fichajes via GiveMeSport, winger Federico Chiesa is pushing to leave the Reds when the transfer window reopens in January.

Chiesa has struggled to force his way into the first team at Liverpool (Photo: Associated Press/Alamy)

The 27-year-old joined Liverpool from Italian giants Juventus in the summer of 2024 but struggled to establish himself in the first team during his debut season at Anfield.

In total he played just 14 times for the club across all competitions last term, starting just one of Liverpool’s 38 Premier League games.

He has since arguably fallen further down the pecking order in Slot’s squad following the arrivals of Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

So far this season the Italy international has featured in four games, but the report claims that he is keen to find more regular football in the hope of maximising his chances of being selected to represent his country at the World Cup next summer.

Chiesa’s current contract with Liverpool is set to run until the end of the 2027/28 season, but the report suggests that he could depart Anfield in the new year.