It’s now been revealed why Chiesa has been left out of Liverpool’s 22-man squad, but his chances of appearing in the Champions League might not be over Read more

Alongside others, Federico Chiesa is one of the names that has not been included in Liverpool’s 2025/26 Champions League squad. It’s not all doom and gloom for the 27-year-old, however, as a reason why he still may be able to play European football this season has been revealed.

By virtue of how well the Italian, formerly of Juventus and Fiorentina, has started the new campaign, there was a common belief that he’d be selected by Arne Slot and his entourage as the Dutch tactician looks to triumph at Europe’s top table.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: In January 2025, Chiesa became the first Liverpool player since 1906 to win his first eight competitive games for the club.

Born and raised in Genoa, Chiesa – who initially looked likely to depart earlier in the summer transfer window – has become something of a fan favourite among the Anfield faithful and, as a result, fans are unhappy that he’s been snubbed from the squad.

“If Arne Slot and our leadership knew that we wouldn’t include Chiesa in the UCL squad, they should have told him and sent him out on loan or sold him,” one wrote. “It’s a World Cup year and he wants to be part of Italy’s squad. Selfish man, that’s what it is.”

Chiesa’s Champions League Dream Not Over Despite Being Omitted from Slot’s Squad

Chiesa

For Chiesa, who signed from Juventus in the summer of 2024, minutes were hard to come by throughout his maiden season in England. All in all, he played 14 times – equating to 466 minutes – in all competitions, but just six times in the Premier League.

This campaign around, the winger has already played three times in England’s top flight – despite all being cameos from the bench. He even managed to net in his side’s third goal in their curtain-raising 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on 15 August.

Despite that, and his evident talent, he’s been omitted from Slot’s Champions League squad; teenage phenom Rio Ngumoha is, instead, occupying one of the permitted 17 non-homegrown player slots for the Reds. But how do the rules work?

In the Champions League, contrary to how the Premier League’s homegrown rules work, clubs are able to submit a squad of up to 25 ‘List A’ players and an unlimited number of ‘List B’ players to the competition organisers, UEFA. List A is an eight-man list reserved for ‘homegrown’ players; List B is reserved for 17 non-locally trained players.

However, even without Chiesa, Liverpool have managed to hit their quota of 17. Elsewhere, Jeremie Frimpong is recognised as ‘homegrown’ as he trained and developed for more than three seasons with Manchester City before moving to Celtic.

Ngumoha, one of the best English teenagers in football, cannot be registered in the same manner. Per UEFA rules, he has not been on Liverpool’s books long enough as he only recently turned 17 – just days after netting the winner against Newcastle United.

liverpool rio ngumoha

According to reports, it was practically a two-horse race between Ngumoha and Chiesa – and Slot, ultimately, chose the former in a real body blow to the Euro 2021 winner, who has racked up 51 caps for Italy since his debut in March 2018.

Thankfully for Chiesa, Slot – widely regarded as one of the best managers in world football – is able to update his squad, and potentially include the Italian, after the league phase of the European showpiece has been completed. That said, there is no guarantee Chiesa will get the call-up.

A subtle reminder of his place in Slot’s pecking order, Chiesa will likely play a bit-part role in the Premier League until the league phase concludes. Should he shine for the reigning Premier League champions, however, there is every chance that the winger, who has experience in Europe, could force his way in.