Liverpool stopped Federico Chiesa international call-up after missing Man Utd victory

Italy did not call up Federico Chiesa for its upcoming Nations League matches against France and Israel because Liverpool has put him on a bespoke training plan.

Chiesa became Liverpool's only outfield signing of the summer transfer window last week, joining the Reds for a fee that could rise to $16million.

The 26-year-old was left out of Liverpool's squad to face Manchester United on Sunday, with manager Arne Slot suggesting in his pre-match press conference that he was not ready to make his debut.

“He’s going to train with us today (last Friday) but it’s a bigger chance that he is not in the squad for Sunday than he is,” Slot said.

Read more: Owen and Scholes make Liverpool title race claim

Read more: Diaz gave perfect response to Barcelona links

Chiesa figured in all four of Italy's matches at Euro 2024 but was frozen out by new Juventus manager Thiago Motta upon his return to Turin, leaving him short of match fitness ahead of his move to England.

Speaking in pre-season, Motta said: "Chiesa and all the other players not called up for today’s game are not part of the project. We have been clear with them, they have to find a new solution and new club as soon as possible. The decision has been made."

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti confirmed that he was not able to call the forward up for the Azzurri's upcoming games due to his obligations at his new club.

“Chiesa and I spoke and made a fair assessment," Spalletti said. "I would have brought him as an extra player, not participating in the games. He told me that he had spoken to his new club and that he needs to do specific preparation work with them."

Chiesa suffered a cruciate ligament tear in 2022 and has seen his reputation as a pacy, dynamic winger suffer since his return. However, Slot is not overly concerned about the forward's current physical state.

"It wouldn’t be the first time that English media overexaggerate!" Slot joked, when asked if fitness concerns around Chiesa had been blown out of proportion. "It's true he had an ACL issue but the rest he didn't have big injuries, just minor like other players maybe.

"I trust my performance staff. He is not the only winger we have, we have others, so if he is not available at certain moments we have others and there are enough players to choose."