Liverpool adds Federico Chiesa to Champions League squad after Giovanni Leoni's ACL injury

Liverpool FC has added Italian forward Federico Chiesa to their Champions League squad following centre-back Giovanni Leoni's anterior cruciate ligament injury, which will sideline him for around a year. Leoni sustained the injury during a Carabao Cup match, prompting Liverpool to utilize a new UEFA rule that allows clubs to replace a player ruled out for more than 60 days during the league phase. Although Chiesa is not a like-for-like replacement for the injured defender, his versatility and attacking prowess align with manager Arne Slot's high-pressing style, providing Liverpool with valuable offensive options alongside Mohamed Salah and others. The club still has limited centre-back options for the Champions League, relying on senior defenders Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate, while academy players remain eligible only under List B rules. Chiesa's addition is expected to strengthen Liverpool's squad depth during the demanding Champions League fixtures and offers tactical flexibility for upcoming matches. Despite the setback of Leoni's injury, Liverpool remains focused on progressing in the competition with their bolstered attacking lineup.