Federico Chiesa has been added to Liverpool’s squad for the Champions League league phase following the long-term injury to centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
Chiesa was originally left out of Liverpool’s senior group for the Champions League with Arne Slot required to cut one of his first-team players due to squad restrictions.
But serious injury for Leoni – who is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign after tearing his ACL – has seen the club employ a new UEFA rule, as Slot confirmed on Friday.
UEFA announced that, up to the sixth game of the league phase, clubs can make one change to their outfield players on List A in the event of long-term injury or illness.
That means Chiesa has now replaced Leoni in the squad, which is clearly not a like-for-like change but was certainly the most obvious choice.
Liverpool’s updated Champions League squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Robertson, Bradley, Frimpong, Kerkez
Midfielders: Wirtz, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Endo, Nyoni*
Forwards: Salah, Isak, Ekitike, Gakpo, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Danns*
* List B
Many felt Chiesa should have been included in Slot’s squad in the first place, but the head coach opted to register Rio Ngumoha as his fifth attacking option alongside Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool can still add another centre-back to their Champions League ranks ahead of any of their remaining clashes with Galatasaray, Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan, Marseille and Qarabag.
However they must fit the criteria for List B: born on or after January 1, 2004 and having been eligible to play for the club for at least two years since his 15th birthday.
Academy defenders Carter Pinnington, 18, and Wellity Lucky, 19, both fit that description, as does Amara Nallo, 18, but he is currently injured himself.
Rhys Williams, who was drafted into the squad for the Carabao Cup win over Southampton which brought Leoni’s injury, is not eligible as he is 24 and would have been required to be named on the senior List A.
Chiesa provides valuable attacking cover
Chiesa’s experience and versatility could prove particularly useful as the league phase progresses, particularly if Liverpool pick up further fitness problems.
Slot could employ rotation at points, with the Italian capable of filling in across the entire forward line including – as shown late on against Southampton – as a No. 10.
Liverpool will also be aware of Mohamed Salah‘s expected inclusion in the Egypt squad for a mid-season Africa Cup of Nations, which if he reaches the final would likely see him miss the trip to Marseille on January 21.
Salah is set to miss the Premier League clashes with Tottenham, Wolves and Leeds over the festive period at a minimum, with Chiesa able to provide cover in his absence.