Liverpool confirm 24-man Premier League squad with two surprise inclusions after Champions League snub
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Federico Chiesa has been notably omitted from Liverpool's 24-man Premier League squad, a decision that also extends to the club's Champions League roster, marking a significant moment in his first season at Anfield.
The Italian winger transferred from Juventus to Liverpool in 2024 for a reported £10 million plus £2.5 million in add-ons. His debut season has been challenging, with limited playing time amounting to just 104 minutes in the Premier League. These struggles sparked transfer speculation in the summer and were compounded by a minor injury that kept him out of Liverpool's pre-season tour.
Despite these difficulties, Chiesa chose to remain at Liverpool and responded positively by scoring a late winning goal as a substitute against Bournemouth in the Premier League opener. However, he was still excluded from Liverpool’s 22-man Champions League squad, with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha taking his place.
Manager Arne Slot commented on the decision ahead of Liverpool’s match against Burnley, acknowledging it as “one of the hardest things a coach has to do.” Slot explained that although Chiesa was unhappy, he understood the reasonings behind the choice. The rise of Ngumoha, who has already gained attention by scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Newcastle, alongside Liverpool’s bolstered attacking options, has intensified competition within the squad.
This exclusion reflects broader challenges Chiesa faces in cementing his role at Liverpool, especially as the club balances squad depth for both domestic and European competitions. Despite the setback, Chiesa recently scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool in a late substitute appearance, hinting at his desire to establish himself more firmly at the club.
PP