Federico Chiesa decision has exposed Liverpool transfer problem that cannot be ignored

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Rio Ngumoha celebrates with Federico Chiesa after scoring Liverpool's winner in the Premier League match at Newcastle United on August 25 2025(Image: ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

In terms of fan adulation compared to minutes played, nobody in the Liverpool squad delivers quite as effectively as Federico Chiesa.

Small wonder, then, the outraged reaction from some supporters to the Italian being omitted from the Reds' Champions League squad by Arne Slot for the opening league stage.

Chiesa was deemed the odd man out as Liverpool were compelled to cut one recognisable name from their list for the first half of the forthcoming European campaign, which starts at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday week.

The reason?

Each team can name a maximum of 25 players in their main 'List A' squad, which includes a minimum of eight places reserved exclusively for what UEFA deems as locally-trained or homegrown players - players trained by their club or another club in the same national association for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21.

READ MORE:Liverpool beat Newcastle United to transfer target again after £79m moveREAD MORE:Marc Guehi transfer power has shifted as Liverpool consider January options

That leaves 17 places to non-homegrown players - and with Liverpool having 18 such members of their squad, it was impossible to include everyone.

Chiesa would undoubtedly want to be recognised at Liverpool for more than just a catchy chant.

But with less than 500 minutes of action under his belt since arriving at the club more than 12 months ago, the 27-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements.

Ultimately it came down to a decision of which two of Rio Ngumoha, Wataru Endo and Chiesa would be included.

Endo's versatility meant he was always likely to be selected.

Ngumoha, meanwhile, was unable to be included on List B - which is an unlimited number of under-21 players which can be updated ahead of every Champions League game - because he hasn't yet been with Liverpool for the minimum period of two years.

And evidently Slot decided the precocious 17-year-old would serve the squad better in the Champions League with the call also providing the youngster further first-team exposure at an elite level.

Ngumoha is in as much for the future as the present.

Matters may have been different had Marc Guehi's £35million move from Crystal Palace not collapsed with a deal within touching distance.

Guehi would have provided another centre-back option and opened up the possibility of 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni being left out, which in turn would have allowed for Chiesa to be preferred.

It also underlines a noticeable shift in Liverpool's squad with their homegrown quota having been weakened significantly this summer.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton and Harvey Elliott have all departed, while Caoimhin Kelleher - also deemed homegrown despite being a Republic of Ireland international - similarly moved on.

Indeed, Liverpool failed to name an English player in two of their opening three Premier League starting line-ups, with Curtis Jones the only such starter in the win at Newcastle United.

The Reds are acutely aware of the imbalance, although that Jeremie Frimpong is regarded homegrown having come through the academy at Manchester City is of benefit.

Liverpool retain a strong interest in Guehi and are expected to approach Crystal Palace again in the January window with an offer at a much-reduced fee for a player who will have only six months remaining on his contract.

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And as well as provided a centre-back option, Guehi could also represent a transfer approach Liverpool will now look to pursue in the coming windows.