Federico Chiesa was a surprise absentee from Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Marseille after initially being named on the bench, with Arne Slot explaining the issue.
Chiesa was originally announced as part of the Liverpool squad to face Marseille on Wednesday night, but it later emerged that he had not taken his place on the bench.
It was reported that the Italian had picked up a knock in the warmup, but speaking in his post-match press conference, Slot revealed a concern from the previous day.
“Two or three minutes after [the open session] yesterday he stepped out of training,” Slot told reporters at the Stade Velodrome.
“We took him with us because we don’t expect it to be a long-term injury. Because we stay here tonight, we’re here a bit longer.
“We thought it was good for him to have his treatment over here and we were hoping that maybe he would be fit in time.
“But he wasn’t. He tried in the warmup and he wasn’t able to play. That’s why he wasn’t on the bench.”
Will Federico Chiesa miss Bournemouth vs. Liverpool?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 16, 2025: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Atlético de Madrid. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
The hope is that Chiesa’s injury does not rule him out of any further games, with a tough trip to Bournemouth to come on Saturday night in the Premier League.
That Liverpool’s medical staff cleared him to fly to France and even take part in the warmup suggests it will not be a lasting issue.
However the forward’s recent history of fitness problems will ensure he stays a question mark until confirmed as part of the next matchday squad.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's players line-up for a team group photograph before the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. Back row (L-R) goalkeeper Alisson Becker, captain Virgil van Dijk, Hugo Ekitike, Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai. Front row (L-R) Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool are already without Alexander Isak with a long-term injury and Slot emphasised in both his press conference and his post-match interview with TNT Sports that his side have struggled due to a lack of rotational options.
Chiesa has rarely been trusted even when fit, though, which is also the case for 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, and the return of Mohamed Salah will only see them drop down the pecking order further.
While the 28-year-old has attracted interest from former club Juventus this month, This Is Anfield understands Liverpool have no intention of allowing Chiesa to leave.