Liverpool boss Arne Slot has made a major selection call for the Champions League, leaving out Italian international Federico Chiesa in favor of 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumhoa.
UEFA’s squad registration rules played a key role in the decision. Clubs must include at least eight locally trained players in their 25-man squad. Normally, Ngumhoa would have been eligible for the ‘B list’ due to his age, but because he only joined Liverpool from Chelsea last year, he was required to be named in the senior ‘A list’.
That technicality sees the teenager edge out Chiesa from the Reds’ 22-man squad.
Slot’s squad also features new summer arrivals Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giovanni Leoni, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Alexander Isak, all of whom are included for Europe.
Chiesa has managed just 29 minutes of action so far this season, though he did score Liverpool’s third goal in the opening-day 4-2 win over Bournemouth.
Ngumhoa, meanwhile, has already written himself into Reds folklore with a late winner in the thrilling 3-2 victory at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.
Slot’s decision highlights Liverpool’s trust in youth as the Reds prepare to battle against Europe’s elite.
