Chiesa’s surprise UCL absence explained

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Federico Chiesa’s omission from Liverpool’s Champions League has been explained.Chiesa was a fresh addition to the Premier League champions’ continental ranks after defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a season-ending knee injury.The Italy international had initially been overlooked for the Reds’ European squad before special dispensation was sought following Leoni’s setback.But Chiesa was a notable absentee from the 21-man party as Arne Slot’s side are set to travel out for Tuesday’s league phase encounter with Galatasaray.He had been part of Liverpool’s open training session at the AXA Training Centre on Monday morning ahead of the the squad jetting out to Istanbul.Slot confirmed that the forward has remained on Merseyside due to a knock from last weekend’s loss at Crystal Palace that ended their 100% start.“He got a little niggle,” said the Liverpool head coach.“I think is the word you use in England, in the last game against Palace.“He tried it today but he couldn’t finish the session, so we decided not to take him because in a few days it’s Chelsea.”Fellow forward Jayden Danns is also missing from the squad for the European clash after picking up a hamstring problem in under-21s action.