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Federico Chiesa is under consideration for an Italy call-up as a result of the encouraging form he has shown for Liverpool at the start of the season.
Chiesa has not played for his country since last summer's European Championship, largely due to his struggles for form and fitness since moving to Anfield. However, he has impressed since the new season started, scoring against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace in the Premier League and also registering a couple of assists against Southampton in the League Cup.
Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso revealed last month that he was actually keen to include Chiesa in his squad for the September international break, only for Chiesa to tell him he was not ready to return to the international fold.
“I know what I said to Chiesa, and Chiesa knows exactly what he said to me.," Gattuso said. "We were keen to call him up, but I saw a guy who wasn’t 100% 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.”
The Daily Mail says that Chiesa could be called up this time around, with Gattuso said to be "very pleased" with the 27-year-old's start to the season.
That's despite Chiesa missing out on Liverpool's Champions League trip to Galatasaray due to injury.
Slot explained Chiesa's absence from the squad that traveled to Turkey, after his omission sparked uproar among Reds fans following his impressive cameo against Palace just two days prior.
"He got a little niggle, I think it is the word you use here in England, in the last game against Palace," Slot said.
"He tried it today, he was on the pitch in the beginning but he couldn't end the session, so we decided not to take him because in a few days it's Chelsea again."
Slot has faced calls to use Chiesa as a starter in recent weeks, with Cody Gakpo having so far struggled to rediscover the form he showed last season.
Gakpo has scored just once in nine appearances this term, and Chiesa's menacing performances — largely as a substitute — have seen his stock rise with Reds fans.
Chiesa was already a popular figure with supporters due to his personality, but now he is gaining plaudits for his performances on the field.
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