Chiesa Left Out of Liverpool’s Champions League Squad

Federico Chiesa has been left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad this season. The Italian winger will not play in Europe as his struggles with game-time at Anfield continue.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool were required to submit their Champions League squad list this week, and manager Arne Slot faced a hard decision. In the end, Chiesa did not make the 22-man list. Instead, 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha was included, following his recent match-winning performances. Slot explained: “It was tough for me, it is difficult for him. Of course, he wasn’t happy with that decision but he understood the argument.” Slot also said that Chiesa gave the reply any manager would want and would help in other competitions and the Premier League.

LIVERPOOL’S ATTACKING CHANGES

Liverpool’s attacking unit has undergone surgery in the last year after the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, and the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. Slot brought in Hugo Ekitke and Alexander Isak in big-money deals. Chiesa was promoted as he led the line for the early part of the season, scoring against Bournemouth in a 4-2 win, which marked his first Premier League goal as confirmed by reports. However, he has fallen down the pecking order, with Ngumoha, Ekitke, and Isak ahead of him.

WHAT NEXT?

Chiesa is in the good graces of his managers, who could call upon him at any given moment. However, the fact that he is now outside the 22-man squad for Champions League games speaks volumes of his current malaise. He will try to return to action when Liverpool face Burnley in the league on Saturday.