Chiesa will not be making the trip to Istanbul with the Liverpool squad.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed why Federico Chiesa has not been included in his Champions League squad to face Galatasaray.
The Reds are preparing to travel to Istanbul for their second Champions League group stage match, which takes place on Tuesday.
They were forced into a late squad change last week after centre-back Giovanni Leoni suffered a serious knee injury.
UEFA approved a new regulation for the 2025/26 season which allows clubs to make one change to their squad in the event of a ‘long-term injury’ which will last 60 days or longer, as long as the change is made before the end of matchweek six.
Chiesa was therefore drafted in to the squad, having initially been the only senior Liverpool player to miss out on registration.
The Italian came off the bench on Saturday to score in Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Fans were surprised, therefore, when his name was included in the 21-player travelling party to Istanbul earlier on Monday.
The Athletic’s James Pearce reported his understanding that there were no fitness issues surrounding Chiesa and that his absence was a ‘selection decision’ by Slot.
However, the Liverpool boss has now confirmed that Chiesa suffered a ‘little niggle’ in the closing stages against Palace.
The Dutchman took the decision to rest Chiesa ahead of Saturday’s home fixture against Chelsea after he failed to come through Liverpool’s final training session before the trip to TurkWWE retur
“He tried it in training today but he couldn’t end the session, so we decided not to take him because in a few days it is Chelsea.”
Liverpool’s successful application to register Chiesa means he is available to play in future Champions League matches should he be required.
The Italian will be hoping to recover in time for Saturday’s Chelsea clash after he had a stop-start 2024/25 season.
He missed 14 matches with a muscle injury between September and December, and struggled to get into the side upon his return.
Chiesa made just six Premier League appearances over the entirety of last season – a tally he is already only one game away from matching, along with two extra goals scored, this campaign.
Topics: Arne Slot, Federico Chiesa, Liverpool, Premier League, Football, Champions League
Surprise Liverpool Star Left Out of Champions League Squad by Arne Slot
Liverpool face Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday
Liverpool have announced their 21-man squad to face Galatasaray in the Champions League and it includes a major surprise.
Liverpool began their European campaign with a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in their opening match of the Champions League league phase earlier this month.
They will look to make it two wins from two when they travel to face Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday, returning to the city where they famously won the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan under Rafael Benitez.
Current Liverpool head coach Slot named his squad for the match on Monday and there was one notable omission.
The Reds were expected to include forward Federico Chiesa following an injury to his compatriot Giovanni Leoni.
Leoni has been ruled out for up to a year with an ACL injury sustained in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
A recent change to UEFA’s regulations means Liverpool are able to replace Leoni in their Champions League squad as he has suffered a ‘long-term’ injury.
Chiesa was initially left out of Liverpool’s official squad earlier this month after they reached the maximum number of non-homegrown players. He was expected to be called up after Liverpool confirmed last week they had made an official request to UEFA
Liverpool confirmed Chiesa’s inclusion last week (Image: Liverpool FC/Twitter)
However, he was once again left out of the squad to face Galatasaray when Liverpool announced it on Monday.
While it’s not been officially confirmed if this was an intentional decision by Slot or a delay in UEFA’s registration process for Chiesa, The Athletic’s James Pearce says it was a tactical decision from the Dutchman.
“Understand it’s a selection decision with Chiesa, no fitness issues and he’s registered to play having replaced the injured Leoni in the Reds’ CL squad last Friday,” said Pearce on Twitter.
The Italian forward came off the bench on Saturday to score in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Four days earlier, he provided two assists in the 2-1 Carabao Cup third round victory over Southampton, and was named as Liverpool’s player of the match.
Speaking after the game, he told reporters that this season would be ‘different’ after he only made six Premier League appearances across the 2024/25 campaign.
“It was really difficult [last season] but I don’t think I was at level the coach wanted me to play,” he said.
“I understood his choices. This year, it’s different. I feel better physically and mentally. The coach has seen this and given me more opportunities.”
LIVERPOOL10 months ago