Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has revealed the reasoning behind his difficult decision to leave Federico Chiesa out of the club’s 23-man Champions League squad
Speaking ahead of the Reds’ Premier League trip to Burnley on Sunday, Slot admitted the Italian forward was not happy with the decision, but praised his response and professionalism.
“Of course that is one of the most difficult things you have to do as a manager,” Slot said. “For a player not to play, it is not always easy to tell them but not to be in the squad is always more difficult.”
The decision ultimately came down to squad balance, with Slot selecting Rio Ngumoha over Chiesa to ensure Liverpool had sufficient defensive options in the Champions League. He explained the conversation he had with Chiesa after making the decision:
“I just explained to him why we made this choice. Of course he wasn’t happy with that. I think he understood my arguments – that is not to say he agreed with them. He didn’t tell me, by the way, that he didn’t agree with them!”
Despite the setback, the 27-year-old demonstrated the professionalism and team-first attitude Slot values.
“But he gave me the answer you want to hear from a player, that he will be there to help the team in the cups and in the league,” Slot said.
“That’s one thing to say, but I think he also showed this because he wasn’t selected but he worked really hard these days to be ready for the upcoming days. That is even more important than what a player tells you.”
Liverpool’s Champions League squad selection this season was also affected by UEFA’s homegrown player rules, which require clubs to include requires football clubs to include a minimum number of players in their senior squads who have been registered with an English or Welsh club for three full seasons before their 21st birthday.
This rule played a subtle but important role in Slot’s decisions. The failure to sign England international Marc Guehi on deadline day meant Liverpool needed extra coverage at centre-back. With the defensive options limited, Slot had to prioritise players who would help meet both positional and quota requirements, indirectly influencing Chiesa’s exclusion.
Slot explained: “With the need for an additional option at centre-back, we had to take the difficult decision to leave Chiesa out. It’s not easy, but it’s part of managing a squad at this level. You have to balance the immediate needs with long-term squad development and also ensure we meet all the UEFA squad rules.”
Summer signing Giovanni Leoni, who, similar to the Italian winger, is not eligible to count as an Under-21 homegrown player, would have been the one left out had Guehi joined the Reds. Slot’s transparency underlines the complexities managers face in balancing talent, squad registration rules, and long-term planning.
Chiesa will, however, be available for Liverpool’s Premier League fixture at Turf Moor, providing an attacking option as the team returns from the September international break. Slot also confirmed that Jeremie Frimpong is likely to return after participating in training following a hamstring injury, while Curtis Jones will miss the match after picking up a knock against Arsenal.
Liverpool navigate a busy schedule across the Premier League and Champions League now the September international break over and the Reds boss has given his perspective on the gruelling fixture schedule ahead.
“Managing a squad at this level isn’t just about picking the best players for a single match,” Slot said. “It’s about balancing immediate needs, long-term development, player morale, and the rules we have to follow. I’m happy with how the squad has responded, and I think it sets the tone for the rest of the season.”
