Federico Chiesa has celebration of iconic Anfield goal framed in family home

09/12/2024 12:45 PM

When Liverpool's newest Italian steps out at Anfield for his debut, it won't be the first time a Chiesa has done so at the legendary stadium.

Federico Chiesa joined the Reds on deadline day on a cut-price deal from Juventus.

Joining for £10million rising to £12.5m, supporters are absolutely buzzing to see a winger who thrilled in triumph at Euro 2020 with his unique running style and unstoppable mazy dribbles.

Liverpool fans had to wait a long time to see a new face, with the club keeping their powder dry in the transfer market until Chiesa's late arrival.

But locals who had regular access to Anfield back in the 1990s may recall already seeing what the name can produce.

During Euro ’96 Italy visited the iconic stadium for two of their three group matches at the tournament.

They won the first 2-1 over Russia, but fell in the second against the Czech Republic by the same scoreline.

Italy then drew with Germany in their final match, exiting the tournament at the group stage, but the Czech match showed how special Anfield already was to the Chiesa family.

Federico's father, Enrico, turned out for the Azzurri on that occasion, and would tie the match in front of the Anfield Road end, sweeping in a pass as he was clattered by two opposition defenders.

The goal was one of seven Chiesa Snr scored for Italy in his 17 caps, and despite it coming in a defeat, doing so at Anfield was clearly special to him.

A massive 28 years passed before the family name was linked to the stadium again, when his son Federico signed for the Reds.

Upon becoming Arne Slot's first signing, he also revealed just how important the goal is to his father, without even realising it was at Anfield.

"I know this goal, I know this," Chiesa Jnr said when he was showed the clip. "He didn't tell me he scored this at Anfield.

"He didn't tell me about this because usually when we speak about the Euros he doesn't want to speak about it because I say I won it and he has not won it so…

"We have a picture of him celebrating after he scored that goal but honestly I didn't know it was at Anfield so this is a great memory for my family, for my father, so I think he's very happy for me to join Liverpool."

When asked what Enrico made of the move, the younger Chiesa simply replied: "He said go!"

Enrico was an undoubted star of Serie A in the 90s, playing for iconic sides Parma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Siena, among others.

The striker won four major trophies across his playing career, which marked him down as a cult hero of Italian football.

But ranking all those moments just as highly as his Anfield goal shows exactly why he was so keen for his son to join the club, and he'll no doubt be jetting over at the first opportunity to see his son step out at one of his favourite stadiums.