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The Liverpool squad which ends the season – likely as Premier League champions – could be drastically different from the one which starts next term.
It has been a terrific campaign for the Reds who look set to bag their 20th English league title next month.
But things don’t stand still in football and Liverpool are already looking at how they can improve for next year.
Journalist David Ornstein has predicted a big summer at Anfield as Arne Slot attempts to put his mark on a team which already looks like one of the best in Europe.
Amid all of that, a fair few members of the Liverpool squad will likely be fearing for their futures at the club.
Having been barely used by Slot during his first season at Anfield, most supporters would expect Federico Chiesa to be one of those potentially on the chopping block.
But according to journalist David Lynch, there are signs that Chiesa may actually stay.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Chiesa has not been utilised anything like enough by Slot this season.
The Italian has made just 12 appearances and is yet to start a match in the Premier League.
There were calls for Chiesa to play much more after his goal in the Carabao Cup final in March, but that is yet to transpire.
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Nevertheless, there have been suggestions that Chiesa is happy at Liverpool and speaking to Anfield Index, Lynch has admitted that he’s seen signs that the 27-year-old is part of the longer-term plans.
“Any other season in any other situation I’d say he’s absolutely going to go this summer, there’s no question about it,” begins the journalist.
READ MORE: Why Federico Chiesa was spotted ‘absolutely furious’ during Liverpool’s win over West Ham
“But the degree to which he is absolutely invested in the Liverpool cause, and I’ve seen this all the way through the season, the fact his agent is saying he wants to make something of it still, just suggests to me there’s a chance he’s still here next season.
“It’s a really interesting one and maybe the point at which Liverpool get it over the line, maybe that’s when we do start to see him.”
We’re absolutely in agreement with Lynch on this one.
The fact that Chiesa is clearly happy at Liverpool despite his small role may hint at the fact he’s been promised a bigger impact next season.
Having not had a pre-season at all, there is some logic in Slot bedding Chiesa in for a season while he goes with what he has, before making next year the real start of his Liverpool career.
It should not be forgotten that the Italian was the only player Slot signed last summer.
The Dutchman clearly rates him and perhaps it’s simply a case of waiting to get him fully up to speed.
In our opinion, Chiesa is staying.
And we would not be surprised to see Luis Diaz leave and instead of bringing in a replacement, Liverpool simply go with the 27-year-old as a rotational option with Cody Gakpo, as well as Mohamed Salah’s understudy on the right.
The alternative is that Chiesa leaves Liverpool after one year of barely being given a chance – and actually making an impact when he has.
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