Liverpool FC has officially confirmed that Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo will not be included in their 25-man squad for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. This decision comes as the club prepares for their upcoming campaign, which kicks off with a home match against Atletico Madrid on September 9, 2024.
Federico Chiesa, the Italian international forward, joined Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024. Despite his potential, he has faced challenges in securing a regular spot in the starting lineup since his transfer. Last season, under former manager Arne Slot, Chiesa was initially left out of the Champions League squad but was later added after defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a significant knee injury. Currently, Chiesa is sidelined due to injury but is anticipated to resume training during the international break later this month.
Wataru Endo, a 33-year-old midfielder from Japan, has also found himself on the periphery at Liverpool. He has yet to see any action this season, remaining an unused substitute in the two league matches played so far. His omission from the Champions League squad comes as Liverpool opts to include younger talent, such as 21-year-old James McConnell, who has made the cut.
In addition to Chiesa and Endo, Liverpool's squad features several players recovering from long-term injuries. Defenders Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, as well as striker Hugo Ekitike, have all been named in the Champions League roster despite their ongoing rehabilitation. Manager Andoni Iraola addressed their situations in a recent press conference, indicating that Leoni could return to training during the September international break, while Bradley and Ekitike are still further away from making a comeback.
The UEFA Champions League allows clubs to submit a squad of up to 25 players, known as List A, along with an unlimited number of younger players on List B. Notably, at least eight of the players in List A must be homegrown or locally trained, a rule that Liverpool has adhered to while finalizing their squad.
As the Reds gear up for their Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid, the focus will be on how the team adapts without two key players in Chiesa and Endo. Liverpool fans will be eager to see how the squad performs in the prestigious tournament, which remains a top priority for the club this season.
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