Champions League Squad Omissions
Liverpool Leaves Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo Out of Champions League Squad
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Key Points
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Chiesa’s omission is compounded by new forward options: one report says he is down the pecking order after Liverpool signed Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz over the summer.
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Wataru Endo had not featured in the opening matchday picture before being left out: he was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s first two league games, against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
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Giovanni Leoni is included despite a long absence: one account says he is nearly a year out with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and is expected to return to training later this month (during the international break window).
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Hugo Ekitike’s injury return context includes both timeline and upside: he ruptured his Achilles against Paris Saint-Germain in April and was reported as Liverpool’s 17-goal top scorer last season, making his eventual availability a significant offensive boost.
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The squad list also features defenders Luke Chambers and Isaac Mabaya among the 11 named in that department, reflecting how the locally-trained constraint is influencing which non-regulars are eligible for List A.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has left Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo out of the club's 25-man Champions League squad, a decision that reflects both injury concerns and new forward options. Sports Bible reported that Chiesa, sidelined with a muscle injury, and Endo, an unused substitute in Liverpool's opening league matches, now sit behind other midfield choices including James McConnell as the Reds prepare for their campaign against Atletico Madrid.
Chiesa Drops Down Pecking Order
Federico Chiesa's omission marks a significant moment for the Italian winger. Liverpool Echo noted that Chiesa is recovering from a muscle injury, but his exclusion also reflects Liverpool's summer signings. The club brought in Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz, pushing Chiesa further down the forward roster. This mirrors last season under manager Arne Slot, when Chiesa was initially left out before later being added to the squad.
Endo Struggles for Early Playing Time
Wataru Endo entered the season with limited opportunities. ESPN reported that Endo was an unused substitute in Liverpool's opening two Premier League matches against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. Unable to break into the starting lineup or find meaningful minutes off the bench, the midfielder now misses out on European competition entirely. His absence suggests Iraola has other options he prefers for midfield depth.
Injured Players Named Despite Long Absences
Iraola's squad list includes three recovering players: Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, and Hugo Ekitike. Daily Mail noted that Leoni, out nearly a year with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, is expected to return to training later this month. Hugo Ekitike ruptured his Achilles against Paris Saint-Germain in April and finished last season as Liverpool's 17-goal top scorer. Bradley's recovery timeline remains further away, but all three made the cut despite their current unavailability.
UEFA Rules Force Difficult Squad Choices
Liverpool's selection was shaped by UEFA regulations requiring at least eight "locally trained" players in the 25-man List A. Liverpool Echo noted that defenders Luke Chambers and Isaac Mabaya were included to meet this constraint. The rule forces clubs to carry players who might not otherwise make the squad, limiting roster flexibility and explaining some of the unconventional choices Iraola faced in assembling his European competition list.
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