After Arne Slot gave an update on Giovanni Leoni‘s ACL injury, Federico Chiesa‘s addition to the Champions League squad was confirmed.
Today’s Main LFC Headline
Chiesa wasn’t initially included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad, because there wasn’t room for him among the 17 non-homegrown players permitted by UEFA.
However, due to a new rule imposed this season, he has since been added in place of his compatriot, Leoni.
Up to the sixth game of the league phase, clubs can now make one change to their outfield players on List A in the event of long-term injury or illness.
UEFA deemed Leoni’s injury worthy of him being withdrawn, allowing Chiesa to be instead named on List A for the league phase of the competition.
While it is a shame for Leoni that his season has been abruptly ended, Chiesa will feel his place in the squad is deserved given his increased game time and promising performances this season.
Today’s Liverpool FC News
• Arne Slot has confirmed Leoni tore his ACL against Southampton, adding that “he will be out for around a year” – it couldn’t have been much worse for the youngster
• The head coach also said that Hugo Ekitike has not been fined, despite reports on Thursday that he was likely to be docked two weeks’ wages for Tuesday’s second yellow card
• Supporters union Spirit of Shankly say they will “press for answers and accountability from UEFA” after their complaints about fan arrangements in Galatasaray were ignored
More from This Is Anfield
Despite Ekitike’s superb start to life at Liverpool, Alexander Isak is likely to replace him in the starting XI once fully fit. Here, Mo Stewart explains why that shouldn’t be deemed a disaster for Ekitike in the modern game:
“With more and more games being decided in the final stages, the players that end the game are increasingly as important as those who start it.
“In the era when each manager can introduce five subs from a choice of nine, with squads packed full of internationals and teams at the top regularly paying upwards of £40 million for a player who won’t be first choice, having a strong group of ‘finishers’ no longer refers merely to players who can find the net with ease.”
READ: Hugo Ekitike shouldn’t worry about Alexander Isak – subs are more important than ever
Elsewhere in the football world today
• Cole Palmer is continuing to suffer with a groin injury and has been ruled out for three weeks – in a boost for Liverpool, that means he will miss our trip to Stamford Bridge
• US President Donald Trump has said that he “will move it (the World Cup) into a different city” if certain venues aren’t deemed safe in 2026
• Savinho is close to agreeing a new long-term contract at Man City (BBC Sport) – Tottenham held discussions to sign him last summer but the move never came off
Liverpool FC: On this day
Thirteen years ago, in 2012, Jerome Sinclair became the youngest person to ever player for Liverpool, coming off the bench against West Brom at just 16 years and six days old to break a record he still holds.
Liverpool won the match 2-1 thanks to Nuri Sahin’s first two goals for the club. Three days later, he would again find the net in a 5-2 win at Norwich, but would never score for the Reds again after that.
Sinclair had a similar false dawn, only ever starting one match for the club before eventually leaving for Watford on a free transfer in 2016.