Federico Chiesa has been left out of Liverpool's 25-man squad for the UEFA Champions League, the latest blow to his tenure with the English club. The Reds submitted their squad for Europe's elite competition, which begins this week with Liverpool set to face Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
New manager Andoni Iraola opted not to include Chiesa in the European roster. Chiesa has missed the team's opening two Premier League matches due to a muscle injury. Even when fit, he faces stiff competition for forward positions following the summer acquisitions of Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz.
This marks a repeat of last season's situation for Chiesa, who was also excluded from the Champions League squad by then-manager Arne Slot. He was later added after center-back Giovanni Leoni suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Despite Chiesa's exclusion, Iraola has included three injured players in the squad: Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, and Hugo Ekitike. Leoni is nearing a return after nearly a year out with a knee injury, Bradley has been sidelined since January with a knee issue, and Ekitike has been out since April with an Achilles tear. Their inclusion suggests an expectation that they will be available before the group stage concludes on January 27, 2027.
Wataru Endo, like Chiesa, has not featured in Liverpool's first two league games and was also omitted from the Champions League squad. James McConnell, 21, was selected in midfield ahead of Endo. Academy graduates Luke Chambers and Isaac Mabaya are among the 11 defenders named.
UEFA regulations require at least eight "locally trained" players in the 25-man List A squad. Younger players such as Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni are not included on List A but can be placed on List B due to their age, a status that will change when they turn 21.
Liverpool's 25-man Champions League squad includes: Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman. Defenders: Jaros; 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.