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Liverpool could capitalize on a UEFA rule change and bring Federico Chiesa into its Champions League squad following Giovanni Leoni's ACL injury during his debut for the Reds. The Italian center-back, who joined the club in a $35 million move from Parma in the summer, made a promising start in his first match against Southampton on Tuesday night.
Unfortunately, the 18-year-old's debut was cut short when he was taken off after 81 minutes, following an innocuous scuffle for the ball that left him crumpled on the pitch.
After receiving extensive treatment at the side of the field, Leoni was stretchered off, with Arne Slot conceding post-match that the Italian wasn't feeling too optimistic about his injury.
Subsequent reports have since claimed that the defender tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee, leaving him to face months out injured.
With the youngster now likely to be sidelined for an extended period, the Reds do have the option to adjust their Champions League squad to ensure they're not left short-handed.
UEFA amended its registration rules just before this year's tournament, allowing clubs to make one change to their squad during the league phase in response to long-term injury or illness.
If an outfield player is expected to be out for at least 60 days, a club can now replace them in their squad - with this rule applicable until matchday six.
The UEFA Executive Committee confirmed the significant rule change, announcing earlier this month: "The Executive Committee approved an amendment to the 2025/26 UEFA men's club competitions' regulations to admit the temporary replacement of a maximum of one outfield player with long-term injury or illness during the league phase until matchday six included.
"The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure."
Consequently, with Leoni expected to be sidelined for most of the season, Liverpool now has the option to replace him with Chiesa - or any other player initially deemed ineligible for their squad.
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Slot's choice to omit the Italian striker from his initial Champions League squad caused quite a stir, with the manager acknowledging that Chiesa was less than pleased with the decision but had shown a positive attitude in training sessions.
After delivering a stellar performance against Southampton and earning the player of the match award, Chiesa spoke candidly about his omission from the Champions League squad. However, he may now be in line for a comeback.
The call to exclude Chiesa from the initial Champions League roster was a consequence of UEFA's rules and Liverpool's last-minute dealings in the transfer market.
Slot made the call to pick Rio Ngumoha over the Italian talent, with the young player needing to occupy one of Liverpool's 17 overseas slots for selection despite being English and only 17 years old.
This is down to him not yet qualifying for a homegrown slot or a 'List B' position due to UEFA squad rules, as he joined the Reds just last summer from Chelsea at the age of 15.
On the other hand, if the deadline day deal for Marc Guehi had gone through, the Reds would have probably counted the ex-Juventus ace among their number, with summer acquisition Leoni – who also isn't eligible for registration on Liverpool's Under-21s list – likely being the one left out.
With Slot in need of more choices at center-back after missing out on the England international, he faced the tough choice to sideline Chiesa.
Now, with Leoni sidelined for an extended period, Slot might reconsider his options and bring the forward back into the fold – having also previously stated that Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, and Andy Robertson could step in at center-back if needed.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
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