Arne Slot ditches recent match-winner from Liverpool's Champions League squad, youngster takes his place
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Charlie Grace
Wed 3 September 2025 20:14, UK
After Liverpool’s perfect Premier League start, Arne Slot’s side have now named their Champions League squad.
The Reds will first take on Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday, September 17, which may be Liverpool fan’s first glimpse of new star man Alexander Isak.
Isak joined in a record breaking £125 million move and has added extra competition to the attacking areas of Liverpool’s squad.
Isak joins the likes of Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike in Liverpool’s attacking ranks, giving boss Slot a lot to think about.
(Credit Imago)
Ahead of the league phase kicking off on the week commencing Monday, September 15 clubs have been naming their squads today.
The big news from Liverpool’s squad was the shock omission of Federico Chiesa, with the 27-year-old being replaced by youngster Rio Ngumoha.
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Chiesa is adored by Liverpool’s fanbase, the Italian has his own chant and scored the go-ahead goal in Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth on the opening night of the Premier League season.
The decision to leave Chiesa out has left fans unhappy, as UEFA’s registration rules mean Liverpool had too many non-homegrown players for the amount of slots available in the squad.
(Credit Imago)
Football Insider verdict
Following the addition of Isak, Slot now faces multiple selection dilemmas across his front three and midfield.
Isak, who has scored over 20 goals in the last two seasons, will compete with Ekitike, who has scored in three of his first four Liverpool starts.
PlayerGoal involvementsMohamed Salah2Hugo Ekitike4Cody Gakpo3Rio Ngumoha1Federico Chiesa1Liverpool’s attacking contributions this season
Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo has started the season with three goal involvements in three starts and Florian Wirtz also both have to fit into the squad alongside Mohamed Salah.
It begs the question of how Slot will make everyone happy and balance his 11, with Dominik Szobszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch all expecting significant game time in central midfield too.