BREAKING Arne Slot confirms Liverpool star will miss Galatasaray clash in new blow

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmedFederico Chiesawill miss the Reds' Champions League meeting with Galatasaray. The Italian star has had a huge impact on the Merseysiders' campaign, despite playing a largely bit-part role.

He has already scored key goals in their 4-2 opening day victory over Bournemouth and also madetwo assists to help them beat Southampton in the League Cup. Chiesa is proving to be a huge weapon for Liverpool off the bench.

However, his team-mates will have to cope without him as he will miss the clash due to an "injury niggle" he picked up against Palace. This was confirmed by Slot in his pre-match press conference previewing the Reds' clash against the Turkish heavyweights.

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The Liverpool boss said: "He got a little niggle, I think is the word, in the last game against Palace. He tried it but he couldn't end the session, so we decided not to take him because in a few days it is Chelsea."

Chiesa was recently included in Liverpool's Champions League squad, despite not making the cut the first time. Slot initially opted to include 17-year-old teenage star Rio Ngumoha in his squad ahead of the Euro 2020 winner.

Chiesa was able to be brought into the squad after Giovanni Leoni tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the recent victory over Southampton. The ex-Juventus forward was Slot's first ever signing at Liverpool, arriving in the summer of 2024 as the sole addition of that window.

He made few appearances in his debut campaign at Anfield, but he has proved his worth on multiple occasions this season. Chiesa scored an 87th minute equaliser against Crystal Palace, only for it to be cancelled out by Eddie Nketiah's late winner against the Reds.

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