Federico Chiesa could get surprise World Cup lifeline despite Liverpool frustrations

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Federico Chiesa can't get a look-in for Liverpool under Arne Slot but the Italian could still get a World Cup lifeline despite his frustrations at a lack of Anfield game time

Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Reports in Italy suggest that Federico Chiesa is in with a chance of making the national team squad for this month, with Gennaro Gattuso's side at risk of missing out on another World Cup.

Liverpool winger Chiesa and Marco Verratti, who now plays for the Qatar Stars League side Al Duhail, are said to be in with a chance of featuring for the Italy national team during its play-off campaign at the end of the month.

They have both been included on Gattuso's preliminary squad list, with Italy set to take on Conor Bradley's Northern Ireland in the semi-final in Bergamo on March 26. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on March 31.

If Italy fails to beat both Northern Ireland and either Wales or Bosnia, it will be the third consecutive World Cup that the country has missed out on. The Azzurri last qualified for the World Cup group stages in 2014.

According to Tuttosport, Gattuso is hoping to persuade Chiesa to return. Verratti, another experienced player, could earn his first call-up in three years.

Struggling for minutes at Liverpool under Arne Slot, Chiesa has rejected the chance to play for his country when asked about it lately, with Gattuso revealing that he has tried to convince him before.

Arne Slot has rarely used Federico Chiesa since he signed for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

"You know it well. You know Chiesa’s problem," Gattuso said in November. "You always ask me the same thing. I call Chiesa in every call-up; I always talk to him.

"The problem is not Gattuso or his staff; he has a problem, not us. You know it well. You always ask the same thing, and I always answer the same."

Chiesa has not been fully sharp since he arrived at Liverpool from Juventus on a cut-price transfer deal. Under Slot, he has struggled to earn minutes on the pitch as a result.

"I often talk to him," Gattuso said. "We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us has.

"We know well what we tell each other, and I must respect what the player tells me. I can't say anything else."

Chiesa could start for Liverpool in the FA Cup this week, with the Reds set to take on Wolves at Molineux once again. On Tuesday, a late deflected Andre goal saw Rob Edwards' team pick up the points.

Liverpool.com says: Chiesa has simply never got going at Liverpool. In some ways, getting some minutes for his national team could help his sharpness, assuming he is managed properly and avoids injury.