Boss admits Chiesa was not happy to be left out but gave right reaction

ARNE SLOT has revealed how Federico Chiesa reacted to being left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad, admitting the Italian was not happy with the decision.

- By THEO SQUIRES

The Dutchman ultimately opted to select Rio Ngumoha ahead of the forward when choosing his 23-man squad for this season’s league phase.

The teenager is not yet eligible for a homegrown place or spot on’List B’ having only joined the Reds from Chelsea last summer.

Had a deadline day move for Marc Guehi not fallen through, Liverpool would have likely included Chiesa in their ranks with summer signing Giovanni Leoni - who is also not eligible to be registered on Liverpool list of Under-21s players — instead left out of their Champions League squad.

But with Slot needing the additional option at centre-back after missing out on Guehi, he took the difficult decision to leave out Chiesa.

Speaking ahead of the Reds’ trip to Burnley, the Dutchman admitted it was a difficult decision to make.

But while Chiesa was not happy with his choice, Slot has been impressed by the Italian's reaction.

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