Andoni Iraola leaves out two key Liverpool players from the Champions League squad, but includes a surprising new name.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraiola has made some surprising choices for the club’s Champions League squad, leaving out two first-team players while including a new star.
The Reds earned their spot in the Champions League group stage by finishing fifth in the Premier League under Arne Slot, picking up an extra European place. This season will be Iraiola’s first managing in Europe’s top club competition, and he’s made some bold decisions for his 25-man squad.
According to James Pearce from The Athletic, Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo won’t be part of the squad. Chiesa, who didn’t get much game time last season, was expected to leave during the summer after missing the first two games with a muscle injury. Even though he can still play in the Premier League, he won’t be eligible for Liverpool’s Champions League matches because of the new signings Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola.
Endo faces the same situation, even though Liverpool could use more midfield options.
On a brighter note, Liverpool have included three injured players in the squad: Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, and Giovani Leoni.
Ekitike, the club’s top scorer last season, hurt his Achilles back in April during a game against Paris Saint-Germain and had surgery. His spot on the squad suggests he might be close to coming back. Bradley has been out with a knee injury since playing Arsenal, leaving Jeremie Frimpong as the only regular right-back. Leoni, who joined in summer 2025, suffered an ACL injury on his debut and has missed almost a year, but he’s expected to start training again soon.
UEFA rules say the 25 players in List A must include at least eight home-grown players. Younger prospects Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni aren’t required to be listed because they qualify for a special B List.
Leaving out Chiesa and Endo hints that the injured players might return soon and also helps Liverpool keep space to add new signings in January if needed.
Here is Liverpool’s 25-man squad for the Champions League:
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 kick off their Champions League journey against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night. Their first away match will be against Austrian side LASK. Later, Villarreal will visit Anfield on October 20, and November will see away games against Fenerbahce and Club Brugge.
In December, Liverpool face Portuguese giants FC Porto at home. The group stage concludes in January with games against Inter Milan and RC Lens. The top eight teams from the group stage move directly to the round of 16.