Softfootball experiences that Liverpool have moved rapidly to strengthen their Champions League squad after teenage defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a severe knee damage on his debut in opposition to Southampton within the Carabao Cup.
The 18-year-old centre-back, who arrived from Parma in a £26 million deal this summer season, impressed for a lot of Tuesday night time’s tie earlier than being stretchered off within the 81st minute following what regarded like an innocuous problem. Submit-match, supervisor Arne Slot admitted the participant “wasn’t optimistic,” and scans on Wednesday confirmed a major knee drawback that’s anticipated to sideline him for almost all of the season.
Whereas the Reds haven’t given a particular restoration timeframe, UEFA’s latest rule change has opened the door for a squad reshuffle. For the 2025/26 marketing campaign, golf equipment are permitted to switch one outfield participant of their Champions League checklist throughout the league part if the unique participant faces a minimal of 60 days out by way of damage or sickness. The choice is legitimate till matchday six.
That change now clears the trail for Federico Chiesa, who was controversially omitted of Liverpool’s preliminary 22-man European squad. The Italian winger, signed final summer season, was upset by the omission however has skilled nicely since. In keeping with Fabrizio Romano by way of his official X deal with, Liverpool have formally determined so as to add him rather than Leoni.
He tweeted:
Federico Chiesa, set to be included in Liverpool Champions League squad after Giovanni Leoni’s damage.
Slot’s preliminary choice to go away out Chiesa raised eyebrows, particularly after the supervisor opted to incorporate 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who occupies one of many membership’s abroad slots because of UEFA’s homegrown participant restrictions. Nevertheless, the damage setback has pressured a rethink.
With Leoni dominated out, Liverpool will rely closely on Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez in central defence, whereas Ryan Gravenberch, Andy Robertson, or Wataru Endo might present emergency cowl. In the meantime, Chiesa’s inclusion provides the Reds an attacking increase as they give the impression of being to navigate a tough Champions League group.
