Liverpool have left Federico Chiesa out of their Champions League squad for the game against Galatasaray.
The Italian international was initially left out of the full Champions League squad but was reinstated after Giovanni Leoni’s injury.
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Chiesa has scored a couple of goals this season but misses out on this occasionCredit: AFP
Leoni has been ruled out for about a year with an ACL injury suffered on his debut in the Carabao Cup win against Southampton.
In his place, Chiesa was introduced, but for the Reds’ second Champions League game of the campaign, the versatile forward isn’t on the plane to Turkey.
Why isn’t Chiesa in the squad?
Arne Slot revealed in his pre-match press conference that Chiesa had picked up a knock.
The Italian trained at Melwood on Tuesday morning, but didn’t finish the session, so the Reds decided to take no risks.
Chiesa came off the bench on Saturday to score during the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, so he almost certainly would have been involved.
Liverpool lost, but his late goal looked to have sealed at least a point for the visitors.
It followed his first ever Premier League goal in the 4-2 win over Bournemouth on the opening night of the season.
The former Juventus man stepped off the bench to volley the Reds into a late 3-2 lead before Mohamed Salah added some gloss to the scoreline.
In the 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup, Chiesa provided assists for both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike’s goals.
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Slot has been forced to leave Chiesa behindCredit: GettyWhat has Slot said?
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: “He got a little niggle, I think this is the word, in the last game against Palace.
“He tried it but he couldn’t end the session, so we decided not to take him because in a few days it is Chelsea.”
It is a shame for Chiesa because he was starting to show signs of his undoubted talent and was earning praise from his coach.
Speaking after the Southampton win, he said: “I always want to see players that try and work hard.
“So I said at half time, for me, it is completely not a coincidence that Federico picked the ball and assisted on the first [goal] because he was the one, in my opinion, that was most involved in the game, tried the most, worked the hardest.
“And then it wasn’t a coincidence again that he was the man that made a deep run, great ball by Robbo [Andy Robertson], by the way – who also has won so much at this club and also understands how to play this game: not underestimate it, just always be ready to play.
“That’s also the way to get yourself either back in the team or get as much playing minutes as you want.”
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Chiesa was initially left in the cold by Slot in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
Leoni’s terrible injury granted the ex-Juventus man a chance to play in the Champions League with Liverpool, but he’ll have to wait another few weeks for his first appearance in the competition for the Reds this term.
However, the injury doesn’t sound to be anything serious, and you would expect Chiesa to be on the bench on Saturday when Liverpool face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Instead, the Reds will have to make do with Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, Salah, Florian Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha in the attacking positions.
Jamie O’Hara & Jason Cundy react to Arne Slot’s comments after Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace!