Chiesa & Endo left out of Liverpool's Champions League squad
September 3, 2026 22:13
Liverpool have omitted Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo from their 25-man squad for the Champions League group-stage. Chiesa, who moved to Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024, is sidelined with a current injury; Endo has been available as a substitute in the league but was not selected for the European list.
Despite those absences, Liverpool did include several players who are continuing rehabilitation from lengthy injuries. Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike are all named on the Champions League list even though they remain on the comeback trail. Twenty-one-year-old James McConnell is also included in the 25-man roster.
KEY CONTEXT
- Chiesa was initially omitted from Liverpool’s Champions League list last season under Arne Slot but was subsequently added after Leoni suffered a long-term knee injury in September.
- Chiesa has struggled for regular first-team minutes since his August 2024 transfer from Juventus.
- Endo, 33, has been an unused substitute in Liverpool’s first two league matches under manager Andoni Iraola this season.
- Champions League regulations allow clubs to register up to 25 players on List A, with an unlimited number on List B, and require at least eight homegrown or locally trained players among the 25.
WHY IT MATTERS
- Leaving Chiesa out reduces Liverpool’s options among their attacking players in Europe while he completes rehabilitation and attempts to regain fitness.
- Endo’s omission, coupled with McConnell’s inclusion, suggests the coaching staff have made a selection that prefers other midfield options for the group stage.
- Naming players who are still recovering — Leoni, Bradley and Ekitike — shows Liverpool are banking on their eventual availability for the season despite current fitness doubts.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Chiesa is expected to return to training during the upcoming international break later this month (reported timeline from the club).
- Manager Andoni Iraola indicated Giovanni Leoni could return to training during the September international break, while Bradley and Ekitike are further from match readiness.
- Liverpool begin their Champions League group campaign at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday 9 September (20:00 BST); whether any of the injured inclusions are available by then will be one of the next developments to monitor.
KEY FACTS
- Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo are not in Liverpool’s 25-man Champions League List A for the group stage.
- Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024 and is currently injured; he is expected to return to training during the international break.
- Endo has been an unused substitute in Liverpool’s two league fixtures this season.
- Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike are included in the Champions League squad despite ongoing recoveries from long-term injuries.
- Liverpool’s Champions League opener is at home to Atletico Madrid on 9 September.