The Italian centre-back Leoni is part of Liverpool's Champions League squad for the first part of the 2026-27 season. Leoni is recovering from a cruciate ligament injury suffered on his senior Liverpool debut last season.
Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola has said that Leoni is expected to resume training with the rest of the team during the international break. This decision comes as no surprise, given UEFA requirements regarding homegrown players and the fact that Chiesa was initially omitted from Liverpool's Champions League squad a year ago under Arne Slot.
Chiesa has grabbed five goals and five assists in 50 Liverpool games across all competitions since 2024 and hasn't featured for the Italy national team since the 2024 Euros. The Italian winger was dropped from Liverpool's Champions League squad list, so he won't be eligible for European matches this term.