Liverpool head coach Arne Slot don clear the air on why Federico Chiesa no dey for di matchday squad wey face Galatasaray for Champions League on Tuesday night.
Chiesa, wey join from Juventus, bin no dey di original squad for di league phase, but dem later add am after Giovanni Leoni suffer season-ending ACL injury.
Many fans bin expect say di Italian go make im first Champions League outing of di season for Turkey, especially as he don already score two goals and provide two assists in six games this term.
Na Chiesa even score Liverpool only goal for di 2-1 Premier League loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday, before Eddie Nketiah steal last-minute winner for Oliver Glasner side.
Slot Talk: Chiesa Get Small Injury
Even though reports first talk say na tactical reason, Slot reveal say Chiesa get small knock against Palace. For press conference before di Galatasaray game, Slot talk:
“He get small niggle for di last match against Palace. He try train today, start session but no fit finish, so we decide make e rest. Chelsea dey come in few days, so we no wan risk am.”
Meaning say di 27-year-old go dey preserved for weekend Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Salah Ready Chase Champions League History
With Chiesa out, Mohamed Salah go still hold him position for di right wing. Di 33-year-old dey close to write new Champions League history.
Salah don already score 48 goals for Europe top competition after him strike against Atletico Madrid last time out, wey move am enter joint 12th on di all-time list.
If Salah bag two goals against Galatasaray, he go reach 50 Champions League goals — making am di first African player to ever hit that milestone and just di 11th man overall.
Salah already dey on top as Africa highest scorer for Champions League with 48, four goals clear of Didier Drogba (44). One more strike go also level am with Alfredo Di Stefano record of 49.
Liverpool vs Galatasaray Head-to-Head
This na di fifth time wey both sides go meet competitively. Liverpool dey chase first win for Turkish soil as dem hope break their winless run away against Galatasaray.
