Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed Federico Chiesa will miss the Reds’ Champions League meeting with Galatasaray despite his impressive form.
Chiesa has been forced to play a bit-part role at Liverpool but has had a huge impact on the Merseysiders’ campaign. The Italian forward has already scored key goals in their 4-2 opening day victory over Bournemouth and also made two assists to help them beat Southampton in the League Cup.
However, Arne Slot’s team will have to play without without him as he will miss the clash due to an “injury niggle” he picked up against Palace.
This was confirmed by Slot in his pre-match press conference previewing the Reds’ clash against the Turkish heavyweights.
Federico Chiesa during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Slot said: “He got a little niggle, I think 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.”
Chiesa was recently included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad, despite not making the cut the first time. Slot initially opted to include 17-year-old teenage star Rio Ngumoha in his squad ahead of the Euro 2020 winner.
However, Chiesa was brought back into the squad after Giovanni Leoni tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the recent victory over Southampton.
Chiesa was Slot’s first ever signing at Liverpool, arriving in the summer of 2024 as the sole addition of that window.
He made few appearances in his debut campaign at Anfield, but he has proved his worth on multiple occasions this season. Chiesa scored an 87th minute equaliser against Crystal Palace, only for it to be cancelled out by Eddie Nketiah’s late winner against the Reds.
Liverpool fans will be eager to see him back on the pitch as he seems to have become their secret weapon off the bench.
