Liverpool have confirmed a change to their Champions League squad after a severe damage pressured Arne Slot into motion forward of Tuesday’s journey to Galatasaray.
As reported by liverpoolfc.com, Giovanni Leoni has been changed by Federico Chiesa following affirmation that the teenage defender tore his ACL in the course of the Carabao Cup win in opposition to Southampton.
Liverpool lose Leoni to long-term ACL damage
The 18-year-old summer time arrival from Parma was making his debut when he landed awkwardly within the second half and was unable to proceed.
Our head coach defined the extent of the setback on the AXA Coaching Centre, saying: “He’s not in a great place, in fact, as a result of he tore his ACL and it means he can be out for a 12 months.
“Being so younger and coming to a brand new nation and enjoying so properly in your first recreation… it’s very laborious to take the constructive facet.
“There’s by no means a constructive facet – however you all the time attempt to have a look at one, and that’s that he’s nonetheless so younger, so he has so a few years nonetheless to go after he recovers.”
The Italian defender will due to this fact play no additional half this season, along with his focus now shifting in the direction of rehabilitation.
Chiesa added to Champions League squad
In Leoni’s place, UEFA have permitted Liverpool’s request to register Federico Chiesa, making the 27-year-old ahead eligible for the league section of the competitors.
A regulation permits golf equipment to interchange gamers struggling accidents longer than two months, and the previous Juventus man has been the beneficiary of that ruling.
Chiesa has already impressed since arriving on Merseyside, and having the ability to name on him in Europe provides additional attacking depth.
The Italian may also be given an opportunity to characteristic this weekend, with Hugo Ekitike’s crimson card permitting our No.14 one other probability to characteristic when he in any other case might not have.
For Slot, it’s each a setback and an answer. Shedding a promising younger centre-back is a large blow, however the inclusion of an skilled worldwide widens his choices for the upcoming group stage clashes.
You may watch Slot’s full pre-Palace press convention through Empire of the Kop on YouTube:
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