Liverpool can now perform drastic Federico Chiesa U-turn after devastating blow

Liverpool may utilise a recent UEFA rule change to include Federico Chiesa in their Champions League squad following Giovanni Leoni's debut injury. The Italian centre-back, who joined the Reds in a £26m transfer from Parma this summer, was impressive in his first match against Southampton on Tuesday night.

But the 18-year-old's debut was cut short. He was taken off after 81 minutes due to an innocuous clash for the ball. After receiving extensive treatment at the side of the pitch, Leoni was stretchered off, with Arne Slot admitting that the Italian was not optimistic about his injury.

The defender underwent scans on Wednesday, which confirmed a severe knee injury. Liverpool are currently unwilling to estimate the duration of Leoni's absence, but it is understood that the club's medical staff are concerned about a serious problem for the young Italian.

With the youngster now likely to be sidelined for an extended period, Liverpool have the option to adjust their Champions League squad to avoid being undermanned.

UEFA amended their registration rules on the eve of this year's tournament, allowing clubs to make one change to their squad during the league phase in response to long-term injury or illness.

Should an outfield player face a minimum 60-day absence, clubs are now permitted to bring in a replacement - with this regulation remaining in effect through matchday six.

Following discussions at the UEFA Executive Committee, the governing body announced the modification earlier this month, declaring: "The Executive Committee approved an amendment to the 2025/26 UEFA men's club competitions' regulations to admit the temporary replacement of a maximum of one outfield player with long-term injury or illness during the league phase until matchday six included.

"The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure."

Consequently, with Leoni expected to miss the bulk of the campaign, Liverpool could substitute him with Chiesa - or any other ineligible player omitted from their roster.

Questions were asked when Slot opted to exclude the Italian attacker from his original Champions League selection, with the Dutchman acknowledging that Chiesa had been displeased with the verdict - though had responded positively during training sessions.

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The attacker discussed his Champions League omission following his outstanding display against Southampton, yet he may now receive a second opportunity.

The choice to omit Chiesa from the original Champions League squad was ultimately a necessary one owing to UEFA restrictions and the Reds' transfer deadline day activity. Slot chose to select Rio Ngumoha over the Italian, with the young player needing to occupy one of Liverpool's 17 overseas slots to be eligible for selection despite being English and only 17 years old.

This is due to him not yet qualifying for a homegrown place or spot on 'List B' because of UEFA squad regulations, as he only joined the club last summer from Chelsea when he was 15.

If Marc Guehi's deadline day move hadn't fallen through, the Reds would have likely included the former star in their squad, leaving out Leoni - who also isn't eligible to be registered on Liverpool's list of Under-21s players - instead.

With Slot needing an additional option at centre-back after missing out on the England international, he made the tough decision to leave out Chiesa.

However, with Leoni now facing a long period out, Slot could turn back to the forward - having also previously insisted that Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, and even left-back Andy Robertson are options at centre-back.

Chiesa responded to Leoni's injury setback after the final whistle at Anfield on Tuesday night, expressing his hope that his fellow countryman had avoided a serious problem.

"Unfortunately I'm sorry for Giovanni Leoni for what has happened to him," he told LFC TV. "We don't know yet what happened to him but I hope that it is nothing bad because he has a bright future ahead.

"He is a fantastic guy and a great footballer. He's just 18. I hope it's nothing bad but we will see.

"Yeah, he did (look so comfortable on his debut). I saw him last year in Serie A and he already showed calmness on the ball and then a great defensive mind - an Italian defensive mind as the old defenders back in the day! I hope it's actually nothing."