Chiesa available for Liverpool following Italy withdrawal

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Apr 3, 2026 4:41 AM ET

Federico Chiesa pulled out of the Italy national team during the international break, but will be available for Liverpool’s FA Cup clash against Manchester City on Saturday.

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Liverpool visit Gianluigi Donnarumma’s Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals tomorrow, and Chiesa will be part of the Reds squad.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot confirmed at a press conference that the Italian winger is eligible for Saturday’s match: “Federico indeed came back from the national team, where he wasn’t able to play. But he trained with us today, so he will train with us tomorrow again and will be available for the game on the weekend.”

Chiesa was initially included in Gennaro Gattuso’s 28-man squad list for the World Cup play-off, but returned to Liverpool before even training with his teammates.

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Football Italia already examined Chiesa’s decision to return to his club from Coverciano, highlighting that his withdrawal was not only due to physical issues.

Therefore, it’s not entirely surprising to see him available for Liverpool, less than two weeks after his decision to pull out of the Azzurri squad.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Chiesa has scored three goals and provided three assists in 32 appearances across all competitions with Liverpool this season.

He has not played for the Italy national team since the 2024 Euros.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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