Andoni Iraola Leaves Two Liverpool Stars Out of Champions League Squad as Surprise Names Make the Cut
Liverpool’s Champions League squad has been confirmed, with manager Andoni Iraola making some notable decisions ahead of the league phase — including leaving two first-team players out while naming several injured stars.
The Reds secured their place in Europe’s elite competition after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, earning the additional Champions League spot.
For Iraola, this will be his first experience managing in the Champions League, and he has already made some significant calls regarding his 25-man squad.
According to reports from The Athletic’s James Pearce, Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo have both been left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad.
Chiesa’s future had already been uncertain after limited playing time last season, while the Italian winger also missed Liverpool’s opening two matches of the campaign because of a muscle problem. He remains eligible to feature in the Premier League but will not be available for Champions League duty.
Endo finds himself in the same situation, despite Liverpool’s limited midfield options.
However, there was encouraging news for Liverpool supporters as injured trio Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovani Leoni have all been included in the squad.
Ekitike, who finished last season as Liverpool’s leading scorer, suffered an Achilles injury against Paris Saint-Germain in April and subsequently underwent surgery. His inclusion could suggest that his return is getting closer.
Bradley has been unavailable since picking up a knee injury against Arsenal, leaving Jeremie Frimpong as Liverpool’s main recognised right-back.
Leoni has also endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an ACL injury on his debut. The Italian defender has been out for almost a year and is expected to return to training later this month.
UEFA regulations require clubs to name at least eight locally trained players in their 25-man List A squad. Younger players such as Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni do not need to be included because they qualify for the B List.
The decision to leave Chiesa and Endo out could indicate that Liverpool expect some of their injured players to return relatively soon. It also gives the club greater flexibility if they decide to make additions to their squad during the January transfer window.
Liverpool’s Champions League squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Jaros
Defenders: Gomez, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez, Bradley, Leoni, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Araujo, Chambers, Mabaya
Midfielders: Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Munoz, Gravenberch, McConnell
Forwards: Isak, Gakpo, Ekitike, Barcola
Liverpool will begin their Champions League campaign at Anfield against Atletico Madrid before travelling to Austria to face LASK in their first away fixture.
Villarreal will then visit Anfield on October 20, followed by away trips to Fenerbahce and Club Brugge in November.
Liverpool’s only Champions League fixture in December will be against Portuguese giants FC Porto, before the league phase concludes in January with matches against Inter Milan and RC Lens.
The top eight teams after the league phase will automatically advance to the Champions League round of 16.
