Arne Slot has confirmed Federico Chiesa’s absence from Liverpool’s Champions League squad to face Galatasaray is due to a minor injury.

 

The Italian, recently added to the European list after Giovanni Leoni’s long-term setback, scored in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace but picked up a “little niggle” late in the match.

 

Chiesa attempted to train on Monday but failed to complete the session, prompting Slot to rest him ahead of Saturday’s clash with Chelsea.

 

Although he misses the Istanbul trip, the forward remains eligible for future Champions League games and is targeting a swift return after an injury-hit 2024/25 season.