Federico Chiesa snubbed! Arne Slot drops in-form winger for Liverpool's Champions League trip to Galatasaray despite being added to European squad

Liverpool v Southampton - Carabao Cup Third Round

Federico Chiesa has not travelled with Liverpool for their Champions League clash with Galatasaray on Tuesday, despite the winger’s impressive run of form. The Italy international was registered in the Reds’ European squad in place of injured team-mate and compatriot Giovanni Leoni but he has since been left at home for the trip to Turkey.

Chiesa a notable absentee from Liverpool's 21-man squad

Liverpool announced earlier on Monday that a 21-man travelling squad will make the trip to Super Lig side Galatasaray ahead of Tuesday’s game, with Chiesa being a notable absentee among the list of members.

Liverpool’s travelling squad in full: Alisson, Gomez, Endo, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Isak, Mac Allister, Salah, Bradley, Jones, Gakpo, Ekitike, Mamardashvili, Robertson, Woodman, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Ngumoha.

We have named a 21-man travelling squad for Tuesday’s Champions League match at Galatasaray 👇

Chiesa left out despite being fit

And in a new report from The Athletic’s James Pearce, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has taken the decision to leave Chiesa at home for the Galatasaray match, despite the 27-year-old being fit and ready to play.

Understand it’s a selection decision with Chiesa, no fitness issues and he’s registered to play having replaced the injured Leoni in the Reds’ CL squad last Friday.

Surprise move follows Chiesa's impressive run of form

The surprise move comes amid a purple patch of form for Chiesa. The former Juventus forward was handed a rare start in Liverpool’s third-round Carabao Cup clash against Southampton last Tuesday, registering the assists for Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike's goals as Slot’s men ran out 2-1 winners on the night. Chiesa has also made a strong impact as a substitute this season, scoring against Bournemouth on the opening night of the 2025-26 Premier League season and then against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

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Chiesa replaced Leoni in squad after defender suffered ACL injury

Chiesa was initially left out of Liverpool’s 22-man squad for the league phase of the Champions League earlier this month. However, he was later brought in to replace Leoni after the defender teared an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the victory over Southampton. The 18-year-old sustained the injury towards the end of what was an impressive debut for Liverpool following his summer move from Serie A side Parma.

Liverpool aiming to bounce back after suffering first loss of the season

Liverpool are looking to bounce back from suffering their first defeat of the season when they lock horns with Galatasaray. The Merseysiders were beaten 2-1 by high-flying Palace on Saturday, having previously won their opening seven fixtures in all competitions in 2025-26. One of those victories was against Atletico Madrid in their Champions League opener on September 17, with goals from Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk ensuring Slot’s side made the perfect start in Europe’s premier club competition.

Galatasaray SK v Konyaspor - Trendyol Süper Lig

Galatasaray have also made a strong start to the 2025-26 campaign

Galatasaray, meanwhile, have also made a superb start to the 2025-26 campaign. The Turkish giants currently sit top of the Super Lig on 21 points having won all seven of their league fixtures, with striker Mauro Icardi netting five times. However Okan Buruk’s side were heavily beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt in their Champions League opener, falling to a 5-1 defeat at Deutsche Bank Park.