Liverpool omit Chiesa and Endo from Champions League squad

Liverpool have omitted Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo from their 25-man squad for the league phase of the Champions League. BBC Sport reported the selections on Thursday, with 21-year-old midfielder James McConnell included ahead of the two experienced internationals as manager Andoni Iraola finalized the club's List A group.

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Chiesa is currently injured, although the Italy forward is expected to resume training during the international break later in September. The 28-year-old has struggled to secure regular first-team football since moving to Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024. His latest omission follows a similar decision at the start of last season's European campaign.

Former manager Arne Slot initially left Chiesa out of Liverpool's Champions League list last season before adding him after defender Giovanni Leoni sustained a long-term knee injury in September. UEFA squad rules allow clubs to make certain changes when eligibility conditions are met, but Liverpool's newly submitted list sets the group for the coming league phase.

Endo also misses out after remaining an unused substitute in Liverpool's first two league matches of the season. The 33-year-old Japan midfielder has been available to Iraola, but McConnell secured a place in the European squad. BBC Sport did not report any injury affecting Endo in connection with the decision.

Liverpool included Leoni, Conor Bradley and striker Hugo Ekitike even though all three are recovering from long-term injuries. Iraola said before Friday's Premier League match against Ipswich Town that Leoni could return to training during the September international break. He indicated that Bradley and Ekitike were further from making their comebacks.

The club begins its Champions League schedule at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, September 9, with kickoff set for 20:00 BST. Competition rules permit clubs to register as many as 25 List A players, with at least eight positions reserved for homegrown or locally trained players. Clubs may also submit an unlimited number of eligible List B players.