Federico Chiesa had been in line for a call-up to the Italy squad this month, with new comments from his head coach revealing that he declined an invitation.
Today’s Main LFC Headline
Gennaro Gattuso previously stated that conversations with Chiesa over his fitness led to a mutual decision not to involve him in this month’s World Cup qualifiers.
But it had not been explicitly confirmed that the Liverpool forward would have been given a place in the squad if he was willing.
Speaking on Friday, Gattuso explained that he had intended to include Chiesa in his selection for clashes with Estonia and Israel only for a call-up to be declined.
“I know what I said to Chiesa, and Chiesa knows exactly what he said to me,” Gattuso said per GOAL.
“We were keen to call him up, but I saw a guy who wasn’t 100 percent sure.
“And when someone comes and has to face matches and official competitions, I want players who are fired up, ready.
“He told me, and made it clear to me, that he wasn’t up to it, because he had to improve certain things. That’s what we said.”
Meanwhile, Gattuso is understood to have left Giovanni Leoni out of his squad to face Estonia on Friday evening.
Today’s Liverpool FC News
• Liverpool are planning another move for Marc Guehi – and could do so as early as January, for a much lower fee after Palace’s deadline-day fumble
• Andy Robertson had explained his decision to turn down Atletico Madrid and stay this summer – because his “heart was still in Liverpool”
• Dan Burn says he has “no animosity” toward Alexander Isak – even “as a Newcastle fan” himself!
• Here’s why Alexis Mac Allister was not risked for Argentina on Thursday night
More from This Is Anfield
Liverpool’s squad depth is looking impressive after 10 signings in the summer transfer window – and here Joanna Durkan compares it to our rivals:
“Liverpool have an average squad age of 25.12 years, with a balance of seasoned veterans and experienced young players after a summer of investing in the squad’s next evolution.
“As ever, it will be a battle of attrition and consistency across the full season, and Liverpool’s medical department showed they are capable of keeping players on the pitch – let’s hope they do it again.”
READ: Liverpool FC squad depth – How it compares to Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City
Elsewhere in the football world today
• John Stones has been forced to withdraw from the England squad due to injury – which could be a concern for Man City (England Football)
• After playing what could be his final game on Argentine soil, Lionel Messi maintained he still hasn’t made a decision over whether he will represent his country at the 2026 World Cup (Times)
• Wolves are set to offer striker Jorgen Strand Larsen a new, improved contract after he was messed around by Newcastle in their desperate bid to replace Isak (BBC Sport)
Liverpool FC: On this day
On this day in 1992, Liverpool recorded only their second-ever Premier League win, coming in their seventh game in the new competition.
Graeme Souness saw his side beat Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield, with a goal from Dean Saunders and a last-minute winner from Jamie Redknapp either side of Mick Harford’s equaliser.
Having drawn three and lost two of their previous six games in the league, Liverpool went on to lose the next three to ensure only two of their first 10 results in the Premier League were wins.
They finished sixth in Souness’ final full season in charge, making it twice in a row, having ended a 10-year run of never finishing out of the top two and winning the First Division in six of those seasons.