Softfootball reports that Liverpool will be without Federico Chiesa for their Champions League tie against Galatasaray on Tuesday night, after the Italian forward picked up a minor injury during the Reds’ 2-1 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Manager Arne Slot confirmed that Chiesa, who only recently joined Liverpool’s European squad as a replacement for the injured Giovanni Leoni, failed to complete Monday’s training session and was therefore left out of the travelling party to Istanbul.
Chiesa had been one of Liverpool’s standout performers in recent games, scoring a dramatic late equaliser at Selhurst Park and grabbing two assists in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton, but his momentum has now been halted, at least temporarily.
Slot, addressing reporters during his pre-match press conference uploaded on Liverpool’s official website, explained the situation with cautious optimism.
Slot revealed:
He got a little niggle, I think it is the word you use here in England, in the last game against Palace. He tried it today, he was on the pitch in the beginning but he couldn’t end the session, so we decided not to take him because in a few days it’s Chelsea again.
Although the issue is believed to be minor, Liverpool’s medical team advised against rushing him back, especially with a busy run of fixtures ahead. Slot stressed that protecting Chiesa’s fitness remains a top priority, particularly given his growing influence in recent matches.
The Reds will now face Galatasaray without the 26-year-old, hoping to secure another vital result in the league phase, before turning their attention to that crucial weekend clash against Chelsea.
