Liverpool have been handed a fresh dilemma after Giovanni Leoni was ruled out for an extended period due to injury. The young defender’s absence leaves a noticeable gap in Arne Slot’s plans, particularly with the Reds facing a demanding schedule that includes their Champions League campaign. While the injury is a setback, the timing of UEFA’s new squad registration rule offers Liverpool a chance to adjust without being left short of options.
This regulation, introduced to provide clubs with greater flexibility during the season, allows teams to make alterations to their European squads in the event of a serious injury. For Liverpool, it means they can replace Leoni in the Champions League squad list rather than being forced to navigate the group stage with one fewer senior option. Given the intensity of European football and the fine margins that often decide games, this rule could prove vital in maintaining squad depth and balance.
The biggest beneficiary of this development is Federico Chiesa. Initially omitted from the list in a surprising move that raised eyebrows among supporters and pundits alike, the Italian winger now looks set to earn a recall. His attacking flair, direct running, and big-game experience could provide Liverpool with an added dimension in Europe, especially in matches where creativity and decisiveness are at a premium.
For Chiesa, this represents more than just a second chance — it’s an opportunity to reassert himself as a key figure in Liverpool’s European journey. His absence from the initial squad suggested Slot was prioritizing balance elsewhere, but fate has now handed the Italian an opening. With a point to prove and the stage set under the bright lights of the Champions League, Chiesa could turn this unexpected reprieve into a defining chapter of his Anfield career.
