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Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso has revealed Federico Chiesa refused a call-up to his national team ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifiers.
The Azzurri face Moldova and Norway over the next week as they attempt to reach their first World Cup since 2014, but will be forced to do it without the Liverpool forward.
Former Juventus star Chiesa has not played for Italy since the last European Championships, where they crashed out in the Round of 16 to Switzerland despite coming into the tournament as reigning champions.
He was one of Italy's key men when they won Euro 2020 under the management of Roberto Mancini, but has struggled to recapture that form for his national team amid numerous injuries and a stop-start move to Merseyside.
With the Italian looking more lively for Liverpool this campaign, scoring two goals and racking up three assists in cameo appearances, the national team boss had hoped to have him join his squad.
But Gattuso said Chiesa snubbed the call as he hinted at the players 'problems' in a press conference ahead of his side's crunch ties.
Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso has revealed Federico Chiesa refused a call-up to the national team
Chiesa has struggled since moving to Liverpool but has enjoyed better form so far this season
'I often talk to him,' the Italy boss 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.'
Gattuso was asked by reporters for clarification that the decision had come from Chiesa himself, to which he replied: 'Yes, it's already the fourth or fifth time that I'm explaining this.'
The Azzurri boss was appointed midway through their World Cup qualifying campaign after Luciano Spaletti was sacked, and has previously spoken about Chiesa deciding against playing for the national side.
Gattuso revealed in September the Liverpool forward had ruled himself out of contention against Belgium and Israel because he did not feel '100 per cent'.
'The Chiesa issue is very simple,' the manager said at the time. 'I talk to my players a lot, and I want to make that clear, a lot.
'I speak every week with Fede and he knows what I think of him, but I also have to respect what the player tells me. He does not feel at 100 per cent and wants to be at 100 per cent, that is the truth.'
Chiesa has played 344 minutes for Slot's side already this campaign, marking a vast improvement on the 104 minutes he was given across six Premier League games last season.
Chiesa was key to Italy's Euro 2020 triumph but he has failed to hit that form in the years since
He enjoyed a blistering start to the season, scoring a dramatic 88th-minute goal in the opening league game against Bournemouth in August before netting again against Crystal Palace the following month.
Two of Chiesa's three assists came against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. He got another in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in October. The impressive start to the season saw him voted Liverpool's Player of the Month for September.
The Italian was linked with moves back to Serie A after a difficult first season, but chose to stay at Anfield and focus on making the move a successful one.
Speaking to Daily Mail Sport in September, Chiesa said he was glad he didn't move away.
'Last year it was really difficult but I don't think I was at the level the coach wanted me to play,' the forward admitted.
'But I understood his choices. This year, it is different. I feel much better physically and mentally. The coach has seen this and given me more opportunities.
'I'm glad I've made some contributions in the Premier League. That is what Liverpool want from every player who plays for them. It is what the coach wants; all the other players want it, too. If you play for Liverpool, you have to be able to make a difference.
'I'm very happy for the moment and I have to keep working hard to get more chances in the future. I play for a top club. This is maybe one of the top three in the world. It's Liverpool – of course they are going to buy top players; of course, the competition is high.
'If I don't want competition, I go to another team. But I want the competition! I want to play here and I think, at the end of the day, competition helps you to become a better player. The coach gave me chances in the first four games and I think I showed I can help the team.'
