Federico Chiesa was the unfortunate player to be left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad and it, understandably, triggered quite a varied reaction among supporters.
Liverpool had to submit their squad for the league phase of the Champions League this week, and on Wednesday their list of 22 players was confirmed.
Chiesa was the notable exclusion, with the club opting to name Rio Ngumoha in one of their 17 non-homegrown spots over the Italian.
Simply put, clubs can only name 17 non-homegrown players and up to eight ‘homegrown’ or ‘locally-trained’ players. It meant someone had to be cut, and Chiesa was the unfortunate player.
• READ: Liverpool name 22-man Champions League squad – Chiesa exclusion explained
It was a surprise to see the No. 14 left out, having been utilised off the bench in all three league games so far, but Arne Slot clearly sees value in having Ngumoha to call on.
Liverpool’s squad can be changed for the knockout stages but, for now, there has been quite the mixed reaction to Chiesa’s omission…
Ngumoha over Chiesa is a nod to the future…
If Arne Slot wants to leave Chiesa out it’s the right decision. If he wants to sell Harvey Elliot it’s the right decision.
The man came in and pissed the league at a canter by completely dismissing what came before him. I’m convinced he will do it again this season. We are very…
— Rory Bond – takingoverrome.com (@Rory_Bond) September 4, 2025
For them who are losing their minds over it.
Federico Chiesa decided that he wanted to stay at Liverpool. Every question he had to Slot would’ve been answered, and he still chose to stay.
As shown already, he’s been involved in all 3 PL games which is only 3 less than last… https://t.co/SLtIgc8VDF
— ? (@LFCApproved) September 4, 2025
Sorry but you’re mad if you want to see Chiesa in a Champions League group game over Rio.
— Paul Anderson (@PaulAndo1987) September 3, 2025
I feel for Chiesa but in the grand scheme of things, it’s 8 games. And it probably means he’ll get more game time domestically, especially with AFCON. Maybe Arne thinks Rio can have more of an impact in short bursts off the bench? And we could always put Fede in for the KO phase.
— Biggies Malls 2.0 (@Biggies_MaIIs) September 3, 2025
“I think the logic behind it is as follows: Rio gets big stage experience against slightly weaker opponents when the stakes are not as high yet, while Chiesa, who himself told Gattuso he is not at a hundred percent yet which led to them mutually agreeing not to call him up for the national team.
“Rests in those games and plays more and more in the league and domestic cups while gradually building up his fitness. I’m sure he will be included in the squad for the second half of the season, and as many people here already pointed out if we got Guehi there’s a possibility Chiesa would have been selected instead of Leoni.” – Jan in TIA comments
“We all want Ngumoha to fulfil his potential. So I can’t call it awful, it’s just a harsh one for the club to make and I can see where they’re coming from.” – Red in Holland in TIA comments.
Only positive for Slot choosing Rio over Chiesa is that we’ll finally get to see what Rio was doing to Trent in training behind the scenes, only difference is it’ll be in front of 60,000 fans
— ? (@kfjcomps_) September 3, 2025
Rio was given a spot at the expense of Chiesa. I think it’s an acceptance of what is good for the future and what is a short term player. Rio was signed from Chelsea academy and did not spend the necessary time to be included in list B. Hence he is in list A. pic.twitter.com/G0fnfT61oc
— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) September 3, 2025
For others, UEFA and realistic game time was on their minds…
Feel for Chiesa not making the Champions League squad at Rio’s expense but the fact one of them had to miss out sums up the stupidity of the UEFA homegrown rules.
Get the feeling Leoni would have been the one to miss out if we had got Guehi but similarly stupid rule if it was.
— Dan (@Dan23_92) September 3, 2025
“Said it last season, and I still don’t understand how you can expand the league phase, yet not the squad size? 8 games should have a 24/25 man squad.
“But then why would UEFA care about player welfare?” – KloppiteE in TIA comments.
Even when you understand the reason why Chiesa was left out, you still feel bad for him.
— Maty ? (@Ma6eS_9) September 3, 2025
If Arne Slot and our leadership knew that we wouldn’t include Chiesa in the UCL squad, they should have told him and sent him on loan or sold him.
It’s a world cup year and he wants be part of Italy’s squad.
Selfish man, that’s what it is.
— ?????? (@WilcoFtbl) September 3, 2025
Will we even see Rio feature that much personally I don’t see that happening in the bigger games. So why not give Chiesa more Minutes in the group.
— The Kop Watch (@TheKopWatch) September 3, 2025
How many times does chiesa have to get shit on before we allow the man to leave and actually play some football?? Disgraceful leaving him out of the cl in my opinion. https://t.co/5NRVtOYVRC
— Luke Evans (@e_evol89) September 3, 2025
“I would have had him in the squad and give Rio minutes in league and cup games. He has been showing great energy and influence when he comes on. Just hope he isn’t too disappointed.” – Harry’s Bar in TIA comments.
“You gotta feel for the guy. Just when seemed to be finally getting some regular game time, even just off the bench, his momentum is stopped dead in its tracks.” – Robin in TIA comments.
“I would have Chiesa over Rio. Experience over youth. Let Rio build up his experience over the league and local cup competitions.” – BC Wu in TIA comments.
This stinks man. He's been treated like crap. We've got enough cover on the left for Rio not to be included this year, but we have no cover on the right.
I dont see why Rio couldn't just play the UEFA Youth League for another year and let Chiesa be in the squad.
This sucks. https://t.co/1JeaVrE6vg
— LFC NEWS (@LFCTransferNRS) September 4, 2025
If I’m Federico Chiesa, I’m out of the door at the next available opportunity. I don’t think he has been treated right at Liverpool ever since he’s arrived. A quality player who deserves to play week in week out.
— Sarib ????? (@saribk01) September 3, 2025
I'm sure there's a reason but Chiesa is like the happiest guy on the planet, always celebrating everything, never complaining or causing a fuss and this is his reward? We don't even have enough wingers, he scored the winner on the opening day and played in both other games! https://t.co/LOCqL6iH9w
— Red (@TaintlessRed) September 3, 2025
It is worth expanding on what others have mentioned, that UEFA’s squad rules have not changed in line with an expanded competition that now asks clubs to play a potential 17 games to reach the final, whereas it was previously 13.
Player welfare is not on their agenda, irrespective of whether they proclaim that it is, as otherwise they would have allowed squads to be bigger when they changed the competition.
As for Chiesa, it will be a personal disappointment, but he can still have a role to play in other competitions, as he showed with the match-winner against Bournemouth.
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