Arne Slot breaks silence after Federico Chiesa brutal omission from Champions League squad
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Arne Slot has broken his silence following the omission of Federico Chiesa from Liverpool's Champions League squad for the 2025–26 season. The Italian winger, who joined Liverpool from Juventus in 2024 for £10 million plus add-ons, struggled for consistent playing time under Slot’s management, logging only 104 Premier League minutes in his first year. Despite a promising start this season, including a late winning goal on the opening day against Bournemouth, Chiesa was excluded from the 22-man European squad, with 17-year-old academy product Rio Ngumoha included instead.
Slot acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and confirmed he discussed the reasons with Chiesa, who was understandably unhappy but accepted the explanation. Slot praised Chiesa’s professionalism and commitment to work hard and support the team in league and cup competitions despite the Champions League omission. The decision reflects the fierce competition for attacking positions, bolstered by new signings and the impressive rise of young talents like Ngumoha, who recently scored a dramatic late winner against Newcastle.
The exclusion also highlights the constraints imposed by UEFA’s Champions League squad registration rules, which limit squads to 25 players with strict homegrown and club-trained quotas. UEFA recently introduced a new rule permitting temporary player replacements in case of long-term injury or illness before matchday six, but Liverpool has not made such adjustments for Chiesa’s situation.
While Chiesa’s omission raised eyebrows, Slot’s explanation emphasizes squad balance, tactical options, and form, portraying a manager making tough choices under regulatory and competitive pressures. Chiesa’s reaction, though initially one of disappointment, appears constructive as he focuses on contributing to the team in other competitions.
PP