Chiesa's Champions League Absence: The Shocking Reason Liverpool Left Their Star Signing Out
Federico Chiesa's exclusion from Liverpool's squad for their Champions League encounter against Galatasaray this week stems from tactical selection choices by Arne Slot, rather than fitness concerns or administrative issues.
Despite Liverpool's substantial investment in attacking players during their record summer spending spree, Chiesa has emerged as arguably their most impressive performer. The Italy winger, who arrived for £12.5 million ($16.8 million), has been directly involved in Liverpool's last three goals through either scoring or providing assists. Remarkably, despite accumulating only 153 minutes of playing time, just two squad members—Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitiké—have contributed to more goals than Chiesa this season.
However, this impressive form proved insufficient to secure his place in the traveling squad for Tuesday's league phase fixture against Galatasaray in Istanbul. Chiesa's omission was especially notable given Liverpool's public confirmation that the Italian had been registered for European competition.
Utilizing a recent UEFA regulation change, Liverpool successfully added Chiesa to their Champions League roster following Giovanni Leoni's serious ACL injury, which ruled him out of squad consideration.
Physical problems—which hampered Chiesa throughout his inaugural Merseyside campaign last season—cannot be blamed for his absence. According to James Pearce from The Athletic, Chiesa is fully fit and available, with his omission being purely a "selection decision."
Slot's 21-player traveling contingent features Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha as left-wing alternatives in Chiesa's preferred position, while Mohamed Salah represents the sole right-sided attacking option heading to Istanbul. Hugo Ekitiké returns to availability after completing his domestic ban following the Crystal Palace defeat, and record acquisition Alexander Isak may well spearhead the attack.