Teen Sensation Rio Ngumoha Replaces Federico Chiesa in Liverpool’s Champions League Squad

Arne Slot’s bold decision to include prodigious talent Rio Ngumoha in Liverpool’s 2025-26 UEFA Champions League squad, while omitting established star Federico Chiesa, signals a clear shift in the pecking order at Anfield. This move highlights the club’s commitment to nurturing youth and integrating exciting new prospects into the senior setup.

Ngumoha: The New Anfield Darling

Rio Ngumoha has been the talk of Merseyside this summer. The 16-year-old winger captivated fans and pundits alike with his electrifying performances during pre-season. His meteoric rise culminated in a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Newcastle United on his Premier League debut, instantly etching his name into Liverpool folklore.

This historic goal made Ngumoha the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s storied history. Now, he stands on the cusp of another club record, with the potential to become the Reds’ youngest-ever player to feature in the Champions League – a testament to his exceptional talent and rapid development.

Squad Dynamics and UEFA Regulations

Clubs participating in the Champions League are permitted to name a maximum of 25 players in their A-list squad. However, they must adhere to UEFA’s stringent quota of eight ‘homegrown’ or ‘locally trained’ players. Failure to meet this requirement results in a reduction of the overall squad size.

Liverpool, having reinforced their squad with high-profile signings such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitiké, found themselves with only 22 available A-list spots. This challenging constraint ultimately led to the difficult decision to exclude Federico Chiesa.

The Chiesa Conundrum

While clubs can include an unlimited number of players on their B-list, these players must be under 21 years old and have been with the club for an uninterrupted period of three years between the ages of 15 and 21. Alternatively, they can qualify if they spent the same amount of time with another club from the same country under the same age stipulations.

Ngumoha, having only joined Liverpool from Chelsea last September, does not yet meet the three-year residency requirement for the B-list. Therefore, for Arne Slot to utilize the exciting youngster in the Champions League, he had to be registered as one of the 17 non-homegrown players on the A-list. This strategic move unfortunately meant sacrificing a spot for the talented Italian international, Federico Chiesa.

Chiesa, who scored the winning goal against Bournemouth on the opening day of the season, will undoubtedly be disappointed to miss out on the Champions League league phase. However, the decision underscores Slot’s belief in Ngumoha’s immediate impact and future potential.

A Season of High Hopes

Liverpool will be aiming to replicate their dominant performance from last season, where they topped the inaugural Champions League league phase table. The upcoming campaign promises a thrilling journey for the Premier League champions, with highly anticipated matchups against formidable opponents like last year’s finalists, Inter Milan. Adding to the excitement is the return to Anfield of former Reds stalwart Trent Alexander-Arnold, now with Real Madrid, ensuring the league phase will be packed with fireworks.

The inclusion of Ngumoha injects fresh energy and youthful exuberance into the squad, offering a glimpse into the future of Liverpool Football Club. His presence signifies a new chapter, blending established stars with emerging talents under the guidance of Arne Slot.

Liverpool’s Champions League Squad: List A

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman
Defenders: Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Andrew Robertson, Jeremie Frimpong, Wataru Endo
Midfielders: Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch
Forwards: Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitiké, Rio Ngumoha

Published 24 Minutes Ago by Roberto Casillas

Roberto Casillas is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer covering Liga MX, the Mexican National Team & Latin American players in Europe. He is a die-hard Cruz Azul and Chelsea fan.