Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool have suffered a major injury concern during their Champions League clash with Marseille on Wednesday night. Federico Chiesa was forced out of Liverpool’s squad with an injury just minutes before the clash against the Ligue 1 side.
Chiesa was initially named among Liverpool’s nine substitutes for the Champions League clash in Marseille, but the 28-year-old has picked up a knock in the warm-up and is no longer on the substitutes’ bench tonight.
This left Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha as the only attacking options on the bench. It is another setback for the Italian, who has struggled with untimely injuries, including earlier this season.
Liverpool lined up in a 4-2-4, with Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike up front, stretching wide to allow Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz to operate through the middle. Chiesa could have offered a late-game option in that system, but has been sidelined and forced to watch from behind the dugout.
The Italy international has been linked with a return to former club Juventus this month, though reports suggest they are now targeting Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri and Atalanta’s Daniel Maldini instead. A permanent move seems likely in the summer, with Chiesa currently low in Arne Slot’s pecking order.
Chiesa was not initially included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad but earned a spot after Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury, replacing him ahead of Ngumoha. He handled the decision admirably.
Chiesa said: “He (Arne Slot) told me what he was thinking and why he chose to do what he did. Of course I was sorry that I am not part of the Champions League squad, as to play in it is every player’s dream.
“I just said to the coach ‘okay — no problem. I will keep working hard and I will get my chances in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League.’ I am a professional player, I play for Liverpool and to do that is amazing.”
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