Liverpool submit Champions League squad with Chiesa and Endo left out

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has omitted Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo from the club’s Champions League squad for the upcoming European campaign.

The club confirmed its list before beginning its Champions League schedule against Atletico Madrid at Anfield next Wednesday. ESPN reported that Chiesa and Endo were among the players left out of the squad selected by the Spanish manager.

Chiesa is currently recovering from a muscle injury, although he is not expected to be sidelined for an extended period. The Italy international’s absence from the European list therefore comes despite the belief that his injury is not long term.

Endo, meanwhile, had a limited role for Liverpool in the Premier League last season. He made eight appearances in the competition, starting only one of those matches. His involvement in Liverpool’s previous Champions League campaign was also restricted to a single appearance.

The omissions leave both players unavailable for Liverpool’s European fixtures unless the club is able to make changes to its squad in accordance with competition regulations. Their exclusion is the most prominent selection decision in the list announced ahead of the meeting with Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool have included new signing Victor Munoz in the squad, while Conor Bradley has also been named despite continuing his rehabilitation programme. Bradley has been working his way back from a knee injury sustained in February.

Giovanni Leoni is another player included in the European selection. The defender suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in September and remains part of the squad despite that serious injury.

French forward Hugo Ekitike has also been registered for the Champions League, even though he is currently facing a period on the sidelines because of injury. His inclusion means Liverpool have listed a player who is not presently available for selection.

As expected, Bradley Barcola features in Liverpool’s European squad following his move from Paris Saint-Germain. The transfer could ultimately be worth as much as £123m, making the Frenchman one of the major additions to the group ahead of the Champions League campaign.

Liverpool will open their European campaign at Anfield against Atletico Madrid next Wednesday, with Iraola’s squad now confirmed. Chiesa and Endo are the notable absentees, while Munoz, Bradley, Leoni, Ekitike and Barcola have all been included despite differing circumstances around their fitness, availability or recent arrivals at the club.

The squad announcement provides the first clear outline of Liverpool’s plans for the competition, with the club balancing current injuries, rehabilitation programmes and the integration of new players before their opening fixture.