Slot explains why he left out this forward from his CL squad

Arne Slot’s man-management skills will be put to the test after the manager decided not to include Federico Chiesa in his 17-member squad for the group stages of the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool gets their European journey underway for the 2025/26 season with Atletico Madrid set to make the trip to Anfield this Wednesday.

The Premier League winning coach spoke to the press on Sunday and addressed the situation surrounding Federico Chiesa. Slot admitted that his decision to exclude the Italian from the squad for the premier European club trophy has certainly left the forward disappointed. The 17-year-old wonder-kid, Rio Ngumoha, has been given preferential treatment over Chiesa by the Liverpool management.

However, Arne Slot has expressed calmness surrounding the situation. Despite the difficult decision-making, Slot is confident that his decision will not hamper his personal relationship with the player. The Liverpool boss also mentioned that Chiesa remained extremely professional throughout the interaction and reacted in an appropriate manner.

Why did Slot snub Chiesa?

UEFA’s rules only allow competing teams to pick a squad of 17 players for the Champions League group stages. The Dutch gaffer was certain of including young prodigy, Rio Ngumoha, in his squad, thereby leaving no room for Chiesa. However, the situation could have been entirely different, and Slot could have approached the group stage with Chiesa and Ngumoha in his squad.

Liverpool’s failure to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on deadline day sealed Chiesa’s fate for the coveted European club competition. The Reds could have added Guehi to their squad instead of another summer arrival, Giovanni Leoni. Guehi could directly slot into the homegrown spot in the Liverpool squad, which Leoni cannot.

Here is a look at Liverpool’s 17-member squad submitted to UEFA – Alisson, Bradley, Ekitike, Endo, Frimpong, Gakpo, Gomez, Gravenberch, Isak, Jones, Kerkez, Konate, Leoni, Mac Allister, Mamardashvili, Ngumoha, Robertson, Salah, Szoboszlai, Van Dijk, Wirtz, Woodman.

What did Arne Slot say about this situation?

Arne Slot spoke to the press ahead of Liverpool’s weekend clash against Burnley. The manager has been quoted as saying by the Mirror –

“Of course, that is one of the most difficult things you have to do as a manager.

For a player not to play, it is not always easy to tell them but not to be in the squad is always more difficult. I just explained to him why we made this choice. Of course, he wasn’t happy with that.

I think he understood my arguments – that is not to say he agreed with them. He didn’t tell me, by the way, that he didn’t agree with them! But he gave me the answer you want to hear from a player, that he will be there to help the team in the cups and in the league.

That’s one thing to say but I think he also showed this because he wasn’t selected but he worked really hard these days to be ready for the upcoming days. That is even more important than what a player tells you.”

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Chiesa has featured in all of Liverpool’s opening four games, including his goal on the opening day against Bournemouth. However, his minutes have been limited, and Chiesa has barely accumulated 50 minutes this season.

Arne Slot mentioned that Chiesa has started putting in the hard yards in training post the difficult conversation. The former Juventus man has a chance to redeem himself this season if he continues to impress his boss ahead of the knockout stages of the elite club competition.