Liverpool can take advantage of new UEFA rule after Giovanni Leoni injury

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Liverpool could take advantage of a UEFA rule change and add Federico Chiesa to their Champions League squad after Giovanni Leoni injured his ACL on his Reds debut.

The Italian centre-back joined the club in a £26m switch from Parma this summer, and impressed on his maiden outing against Southampton on Tuesday night.

However, the 18-year-old’s night came to a premature end as he was withdrawn after 81 minutes, having been left in a heap after an innocuous tussle for the ball.

Receiving lengthy treatment on the side of the pitch, Leoni was then stretchered off with Slot admitting following the final whistle that the Italian had not felt too positive about the injury.

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Liverpool sent the defender for scans on Wednesday, with it being confirmed that he has suffered a serious knee injury.

The ECHO understands that the Reds are refusing to place a timescale on the length of the absence at present but it's understood that club medical staff are fearful of a serious issue for the young Italian.

With the teenager now set to be ruled out for a prolonged period, the Reds do at least have the option to make a change to their Champions League squad to ensure they are not left short.

UEFA made an amendment to their registration rules on the eve of this year’s tournament, which enables clubs to make one change to their squad during the league phase in response to long-term injury or illness.

If an outfield player is set to be ruled out for at least 60 days, a club can now replace them in their squad - with the rule applicable until matchday six.

Following a meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee, the governing body confirmed the change earlier this month as they stated: “The Executive Committee approved an amendment to the 2025/26 UEFA men’s club competitions’ regulations to admit the temporary replacement of a maximum of one outfield player with long-term injury or illness during the league phase until matchday six included.

“The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure.”

As a result, with Leoni likely to be ruled out for the majority of the season, Liverpool would be able to replace him with Chiesa - or any other ineligible player left out of their squad.

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Eyebrows were raised when Slot made the decision to leave the Italian forward out of his initial Champions League squad, with the Dutchman admitting that Chiesa had not been happy with the choice - but had at least responded well in training.

The forward opened up on his Champions League snub after his man of the match performance against Southampton, but he is now poised for a potential reprieve.

The decision to leave Chiesa out of the initial Champions League squad was ultimately an enforced one due to UEFA regulations and the Reds’ deadline day transfer business.

Slot opted to select Rio Ngumoha ahead of the Italian, with the teenager needing to take up one of Liverpool’s 17 overseas berths to be eligible for selection despite the fact he is English and only 17 years old.

This is because he does not yet qualify for a homegrown place or spot on ‘List B’ due to UEFA squad regulations, given that he only joined the club as a 15-year-old from Chelsea last summer.

Meanwhile, had a deadline day move for Marc Guehi not fallen through, the Reds would have likely included the former Juventus star in their ranks with summer signing Leoni - who is also not eligible to be registered on Liverpool’s list of Under-21s players - left out instead.

With Slot needing the additional option at centre-back after missing out on the England international, he took the difficult decision to leave out Chiesa.

But with Leoni now facing a lengthy lay-off, Slot could turn back to the forward - having also previously insisted the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson are options at centre-back if required.

Chiesa reacted to Leoni’s injury setback after the final whistle at Anfield on Tuesday night, as he shared his hope that his compatriot had avoided a serious issue.

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"Unfortunately I'm sorry for Giovanni Leoni for what has happened to him,” he told LFC TV.

"We don't know yet what happened to him but I hope that it is nothing bad because he has a bright future ahead.

“He is a fantastic guy and a great footballer.

I hope it's nothing bad but we will see.

"Yeah, he did (look so comfortable on his debut).