Chiesa and Endo Omitted from Liverpool's 25-Man Champions League League Phase List

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo have been excluded from the Liverpool UCL squad submitted for the 2026-27 league phase.

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo have been omitted from the 25-player List A submitted by Liverpool for the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase. New manager Andoni Iraola finalized the roster ahead of the club's opening European fixture against Atlético Madrid at Anfield on Sept. 9. The 28-year-old Italy international, Chiesa, is currently sidelined with a muscle injury, though the club does not anticipate a long-term absence. Endo, who made just one appearance during Liverpool’s run to the Champions League quarterfinals and featured in only eight Premier League matches in 2025-26, also failed to make the cut.

UEFA regulations mandate a 25-player limit for List A, requiring eight spots for 'locally trained' athletes. Within that quota, four individuals must have remained at the club for three seasons between ages 15 and 21. While younger players can be registered via List B if they satisfy specific age and development criteria, neither Chiesa nor Endo is eligible for that designation. Consequently, both players are unavailable for the upcoming eight-fixture schedule unless the club utilizes a permitted change, which is typically restricted to injury-related replacements.

Roster Inclusions and Injury Updates

Liverpool included summer signing Víctor Muñoz in the squad alongside Conor Bradley, who continues his rehabilitation following a knee injury sustained in February. Giovanni Leoni is also named on the list despite suffering an ACL tear in September 2025. The Reds opted to include injured forward Hugo Ekitike, while his compatriot Bradley Barcola is officially registered following a transfer from Paris Saint-Germain worth up to £123 million ($166 million). Barcola is potentially slated to make his debut for the club in an upcoming match against Ipswich.

Champions League League Phase Schedule

The 2026-27 European campaign features eight fixtures for the Merseyside club during this stage of the competition. Liverpool will host four matches at Anfield against Atlético Madrid, Porto, Villarreal, and Lens. Their away schedule involves travel to face Austrian side LASK, Turkish club Fenerbahce, Belgian team Club Brugge, and Italy's Inter Milan. The squad submission follows a summer transfer window where Lindop noted the club failed to add necessary depth, despite the high-profile acquisition of Barcola.

Squad Eligibility and Technical Details

Wataru Endo’s lack of playing time last season contributed to his exclusion, as seven of his eight Premier League appearances in the 2025-26 campaign came as a substitute. The current Liverpool UCL squad reflects the specific constraints of List A registration, which limits the inclusion of non-locally trained veterans when the 25-player threshold is reached. Players omitted at this stage cannot participate in the league phase unless a specific UEFA-approved roster vacancy opens. The Reds will begin their quest for a European title on Sept. 9, navigating a draw that has been characterized as providing good games for Liverpool while presenting a difficult path for Barcelona.