Arne Slot confirms Federico Chiesa lifeline after Giovanni Leoni injury setback

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed the club is looking into the possibility of registering Federico Chiesa in its Champions League squad.

The winger was omitted from the original squad that was announced at the start of the month due to Liverpool having a surplus of overseas players, a group that includes Rio Ngumoha. Slot opted to choose the teenager instead of Chiesa when deciding the group available for European games.

But the rules around registration allow for players to be changed if there is a long-term injury. Slot confirmed on Friday that the defender has suffered an ACL tear and will be out for the remainder of the season.

He also said Chiesa may then be drafted into the Champions League squad and, when pushed on the subject, added: "We have looked into this. I cannot tell you exactly where that process is at the moment.

"That is not something I do myself, there are other people doing this. If I am informed correctly, if a player has a longer than two-month injury you are allowed to replace him. That’s what they have told me and we need to see if it’s true or not. But other people are looking into that."

His return to the European fold continues Chiesa's Liverpool renaissance. The ex-Juventus man was the standout performer in midweek against Southampton and earned widespread praise after providing both assists in the 2-1 win.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace, the Liverpool head coach said he expects Chiesa to play some part at Selhurst Park.

Reflecting on Hugo Ekitike's suspension, Slot said: "It might hurt us a bit more tomorrow, but the positive things is that Federico Chiesa is showing himself at the moment and it is a chance for him now to be on the bench and play minutes with Hugo not being there."

Speaking on Tuesday, Slot praised Chiesa's display in the win over Southampton: "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.

"That’s also the way to get yourself either back in the team or get as much playing minutes as you want."

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.