Liverpool FC faces a challenging trip to Istanbul for their UEFA Champions League league phase match against Galatasaray on October 1, 2025 (postponed from September 30 due to scheduling). The Reds, managed by Arne Slot, are coming off a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace on September 28, where they conceded a late winner from Eddie Nketiah. Now, fresh injury concerns threaten to disrupt their squad depth.
The Two Players Set to Miss the Game
According to recent reports, Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Leoni are the two Liverpool players confirmed to sit out the fixture:
• Federico Chiesa (Winger): The Italian forward, Slot’s first signing in summer 2024, has been a key impact substitute this season, scoring in the 4-2 opening-day win over Bournemouth and assisting twice in the Carabao Cup victory against Southampton. However, he picked up an “injury niggle” during the Palace loss and has been ruled out. This comes after he was only recently added to Liverpool’s Champions League squad List A, replacing the injured Leoni.
• Giovanni Leoni (Centre-Back): The 18-year-old £26 million summer signing from Parma suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during the midweek Carabao Cup win over Southampton on September 24. He was stretchered off after a tangle with an opponent and is expected to be sidelined for around a year. Leoni had impressed in his debut starts, showing maturity in defense.
These absences leave Liverpool short in attack and defense, with Slot likely turning to alternatives like Harvey Elliott or Ben Doak for wide options and relying on established defenders such as Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté.
The “New Injury Blow” and the Key Man “Experiencing the Pain”
The “new injury blow” refers to Leoni’s ACL rupture, which forced Chiesa’s late inclusion in the UCL squad and now sidelines him too. However, the intriguing quote about a “key man” having to “experience the pain” actually originates from Galatasaray’s side, not Liverpool’s. It pertains to their star striker Victor Osimhen, on loan from Napoli.
• Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk revealed after a 1-0 league win over Alanyaspor on September 27 that Osimhen, who has been out with an ankle injury sustained during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Rwanda earlier in September, made a brief substitute appearance (about 10 minutes) to test his fitness. Buruk said: “We wanted to play Osimhen for 10 minutes. We wanted him to experience the pain.” This was to gauge his condition ahead of the Liverpool game, with further assessments planned. Osimhen hasn’t played for the club since late August and missed their 5-1 Europa League loss to Eintracht Frankfurt, but Buruk is optimistic he could feature against Liverpool, potentially boosting the hosts.
This twist adds intrigue to the matchup—Osimhen’s potential return could exploit Liverpool’s depleted backline, especially after their recent defensive lapses (e.g., Konaté’s criticized performance vs. Palace).
Broader Context for Liverpool
• Injury List Update: As of September 26, Liverpool’s official site lists no major long-term issues beyond these, but the quick turnaround (Galatasaray midweek, then Chelsea on October 4) tests squad rotation. Young striker Jayden Danns also suffered a first-half injury in U21 action against Ipswich on September 28, ruling him out, though he’s not first-team bound yet.
• Team News Tease: Slot may recall Hugo Ekitike after his suspension vs. Palace, with the French forward eligible for Europe. Predicted XI could see Darwin Núñez leading the line, supported by Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
• What’s at Stake: Liverpool sit top of the Premier League but need UCL points after a mixed start. A win in Turkey would solidify their campaign.
For live updates, check Liverpool’s official channels or apps like the X app for real-time reactions. If you’re a fan heading to RAMS Park, safe travels—expect a fiery atmosphere!
