Liverpool have left Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo out of their 25-man squad for the league phase of the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League, with manager Andoni Iraola instead finding places for several players currently recovering from injuries. Summer arrival Victor Munoz has been included, while Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni have also made the squad despite their fitness concerns.
Under UEFA regulations, clubs can register up to 25 players on List A, with eight positions reserved for locally trained players. Younger footballers who meet UEFA’s age and development requirements can be registered separately on List B, but neither Chiesa nor Endo qualifies for that provision. The restrictions forced Liverpool to make choices among their senior players while meeting the homegrown quota.
Senior duo miss out
Chiesa is currently recovering from a muscular injury, although he is not expected to remain sidelined for an extended period. The Italian has struggled to establish himself consistently since joining Liverpool, with injuries limiting his opportunities. Endo also found playing time difficult to come by last season, making only eight Premier League appearances, seven from the bench, and featuring once during Liverpool’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Liverpool have nevertheless included Bradley, who continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury suffered in February, and Leoni, who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September 2025. Ekitike has also been named despite currently being sidelined, indicating that the club expects the injured players to potentially contribute during the league phase.
Atletico first up
Liverpool will begin their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on September 9. Their eight league-phase fixtures also include home matches against Porto, Villarreal and Lens, while the Reds will travel to face LASK, Fenerbahce, Club Brugge and Inter Milan.
Liverpool’s 25-man squad comprises Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Vitezslav Jaros, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Ronald Araujo, Luke Chambers, Isaac Mabaya, Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Victor Munoz, Ryan Gravenberch, James McConnell, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike and Bradley Barcola.