Liverpool dressing room's clear feelings on Federico Chiesa as Man City eye huge transfer

Liverpool dressing room's clear feelings on Federico Chiesa as Man City eye huge transfer

Liverpool risk losing summer transfer target Rodrygo to rivals Manchester City if a certain sale goes through, and Federico Chiesa could have a major role to play in the saga

Liverpool's stars appear to have a lot of love for Federico Chiesa amid rumours Manchester City could sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid (Image: PA)

Liverpool's stars will be at ease if rivals Manchester City manage to get their hands on Real Madrid's Rodrygo - because they're happy with Federico Chiesa.

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Rumours linking City with a move for winger Rodrygo have intensified of late, with the deal for a player targeted by both Liverpool and Arsenal over the summer believed to hinge on the future of Savinho. Despite only arriving at the Etihad last year, Savinho is already being tipped for a City exit. Tottenham have been in talks to sign the player, for whom City hope to land a fee in the region of £70million.

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If City were to receive their full valuation of Savinho, it would free up the funds necessary to pursue a move for Rodrygo, who is available in the Spanish capital following Xabi Alonso's arrival as head coach. The Reds were themselves linked with Rodrygo earlier in the transfer window before that speculation cooled.

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But Liverpool appear content with Chiesa for whom an exit has been tipped throughout the summer - having endured a somewhat frustrating stay on Merseyside since joining last summer - prior to his heroic intervention against Bournemouth on Friday.

The Cherries staged an audacious comeback attempt at Anfield and rebounded from two goals down to draw level thanks to Antoine Semenyo's brace. That was until Chiesa came off the bench before firing in Liverpool's third in the 88th minute, while Mohamed Salah added a fourth shortly after. And it was easy to see just how happy Liverpool's stars were to see Chiesa get on the scoresheet.

Chiesa has toiled away under Arne Slot and battled through a winter injury in a rocky first season in England. The 27-year-old made just 16 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions last term but has won over those who matter most: his team-mates. The Italian is well liked inside Slot's dressing room, a valued member of the squad whom - despite on-pitch difficulties - is seen as a friendly player, always cajoling and pushing others to do well.

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And his impact at home to Bournemouth is the latest indicator he's ready to have a much bigger say on his side's success this season.

Liverpool players celebrated wildly with Chiesa when he scored against Bournemouth (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

So much so that seeing Rodrygo join a direct rival may not ruffle feathers at Anfield. That could depend on Savinho departing, something Pep Guardiola, who has been very complimentary of his player, has suggested may not happen.

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Speaking at a press conference ahead of City's season-opening win at Wolves, Guardiola addressed Savinho's links with the exit door and said: "If Tottenham in that case - or any other club - wants a player, they should call the club right? It's the same like we do. I'm only concerned right now, today, that Savinho will be with us until the end of the season.

"And, hopefully, for many, many years. He's 21-years-old with the potential that he has. He's played a lot of minutes, he has to improve in the final decisions. But he's an extraordinary player, otherwise he would not have played more than 3,000 minutes."

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