Liverpool boss Arne Slot has made a surprise call by leaving in-form winger Federico Chiesa out of the squad to face Galatasaray in Tuesday’s Champions League group game.
The 27-year-old Italy international had just been added to the Reds’ European roster to replace injured defender Giovanni Leoni (ACL) and impressed with two assists in last week’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton. Chiesa also scored off the bench in Premier League matches against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, but he was not among the 21 players named in Liverpool’s travelling party on Monday.
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
Liverpool travelling squad: Alisson, Gomez, Endo, Van Dijk, Konaté, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Isak, Mac Allister, Salah, Bradley, Jones, Gakpo, Ekitike, Mamardashvili, Robertson, Woodman, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Ngumoha.
Slot has given no reason for the omission, though reporter James Pearce (The Athletic) confirmed Chiesa is fit.
Liverpool aim to rebound from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, their first loss of the season after seven straight wins in all competitions, including a 3-1 Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid.
Galatasaray have won all seven of their Super Lig games but were hammered 5-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt in their first group fixture.
Kick-off in Istanbul is set for Tuesday night, with the Reds looking to keep their perfect European start intact.