Chiesa and Endo left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad
Liverpool have omitted Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo from their Champions League squad, while including three injured players as new manager Andoni Iraola shapes his European plans.
Liverpool have left Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo out of their 25-man Champions League squad, raising further questions about the pair’s roles under new manager Andoni Iraola.
The decision means Chiesa, who joined from Juventus in 2024, will miss the league phase despite hopes of returning from injury later this month, while Endo has also failed to secure a place after limited involvement since Iraola’s arrival.
UEFA regulations restrict clubs to 25 players on their List A, with specific requirements for locally trained players, forcing Liverpool to make difficult selections.
The Reds have instead included injured defender Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and forward Hugo Ekitike, suggesting the club is planning beyond the opening weeks of the competition.
Liverpool’s squad also reflects a major summer rebuild, with high-profile arrivals including Bradley Barcola, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz adding competition for places.
Barcola joined from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal reported at around £120 million, while Liverpool have also added other young players as Iraola begins reshaping the team.
Liverpool started their Premier League campaign with consecutive 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, leaving the Spaniard still searching for his first league victory.
Their Champions League campaign begins at Anfield against Atletico Madrid on September 9, giving Iraola an immediate opportunity to test his revamped squad against established European opposition.
The omission of Chiesa and Endo is particularly significant because both remain senior members of the squad, although their limited involvement domestically suggests they have slipped down the manager’s pecking order.
Chiesa was also initially left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad last season before being registered following Leoni’s serious knee injury, meaning another change could become possible if circumstances allow.
