Chiesa and Endo Left Out of Liverpool’s Champions League Squad

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo have been omitted from Liverpool’s 25-man squad for the league phase of the Champions League.

Andoni Iraola has, however, included long-term absentees Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike, with all three expected to return to action during the competition’s opening phase.

Chiesa has been unavailable for Liverpool’s first two Premier League fixtures because of a muscle problem. His route back into the side has also become more difficult following the summer arrivals of Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz.

The Italian forward remained at Anfield during the summer despite having made only five starts in all competitions last season. He now faces significant competition for attacking opportunities, with Alexander Isak, Barcola, Munoz, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas among Iraola’s options. Ekitike will provide further competition once he completes his recovery.

It is the second successive season in which Chiesa has initially missed out on Champions League selection. He was also omitted by Arne Slot last September before later being added to the squad following Leoni’s serious knee injury.

Endo’s absence is arguably more notable given the experienced midfielder’s ability to provide defensive cover. The Japan international was an unused substitute against both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, with 22-year-old James McConnell selected ahead of him for the European squad.

UEFA regulations require Liverpool’s List A squad to contain at least eight locally trained players, which will have influenced some of Iraola’s decisions. Academy products Luke Chambers and Isaac Mabaya are included among the defensive options, while McConnell is one of six listed midfielders.

Younger players including Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni do not need to occupy places in the main 25-man group because they are eligible for List B.

The return of Liverpool’s three long-term injury casualties could provide Iraola with an important boost as the campaign progresses.

Leoni is expected to return to training later this month, having spent almost a year recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Bradley has not played since sustaining a serious knee injury against Arsenal in January, while Ekitike ruptured his Achilles against Paris Saint-Germain in April.

The French striker finished last season as Liverpool’s leading scorer with 17 goals and will add another major attacking option when he is cleared to return.

Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Liverpool’s 25-man Champions League squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Vitezslav Jaros.

Defenders: Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Jérémy Jacquet, Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Ronald Araujo, Luke Chambers, Isaac Mabaya.

Midfielders: Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Victor Munoz, Ryan Gravenberch, James McConnell.

Forwards: Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Bradley Barcola.