Jamie Carragher has questioned Liverpool’s decision-making in the transfer market, arguing that the club should have allowed Wataru Endo to leave during the summer. According to the former Liverpool defender, the Japanese midfielder appears unlikely to receive meaningful playing time under new manager Andoni Iraola, making his continued presence in the squad difficult to justify.

Liverpool have undergone considerable changes ahead of the new campaign. Iraola now has several new options following the arrivals of players including Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola. At the same time, the club has said goodbye to several established names, with Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate among those who have moved on.

The changes have also created a difficult situation when it comes to squad selection for European competition. This week, Liverpool were required to submit a 25-player squad for the league phase of the Champions League. Because of UEFA’s registration rules and restrictions on the number of non-homegrown players, not everyone in the first-team group could be included.

Endo was one of the notable players left out of the Champions League squad. Federico Chiesa was another high-profile omission. Both players have struggled to establish themselves as regular starters, and their exclusion has raised questions about their roles within Iraola’s plans.

The situation is particularly striking in Endo’s case because the 32-year-old has yet to make an appearance under Iraola. Despite being a popular figure among Liverpool supporters, he has found it increasingly difficult to secure regular football. Carragher believes the club should have recognized this situation earlier and looked for a permanent solution during the transfer window.

Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher expressed his frustration with the composition of Liverpool’s squad. He pointed out that the club has two players, Chiesa and Endo, who currently appear to have very little opportunity to play. With UEFA imposing limits on squad registration, every available place becomes important, especially when a team has several players competing for the same positions.

Carragher argued that Liverpool effectively have two players who are unlikely to see significant action. In his view, retaining players who are not expected to contribute regularly makes little sense when the club has to work within strict squad quotas.

The former defender was particularly sympathetic toward Endo, however. Although he believes the midfielder should have been sold, Carragher acknowledged the important role Endo has played at Liverpool and the affection he has earned from supporters. He described the Japan international as something of a “cult hero”, recognizing that his popularity extends beyond his appearances on the pitch.

Endo arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2023 after Jurgen Klopp identified him as an experienced defensive midfielder. At the time, his arrival was viewed as an unexpected move, but he eventually became a useful member of Klopp’s squad. His disciplined approach, physicality and willingness to work for the team helped him win over Liverpool fans.

However, his importance gradually declined as competition for midfield positions increased. Last season, Endo made only 12 appearances, with injuries and competition for places limiting his opportunities. Premier League football was particularly difficult to secure, and he often had to settle for a place on the bench or opportunities in other competitions.

That lack of playing time has continued into the new era under Iraola. Endo was an unused substitute during Liverpool’s draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, meaning that even when he was included in the matchday squad, he was not called upon from the bench.

His exclusion from the Champions League squad therefore represents another indication that he may have fallen well down the manager’s list of midfield options. Carragher’s argument is that Liverpool should have taken advantage of the transfer window to move Endo on rather than keeping a player who may spend much of the season watching from the sidelines.

Chiesa’s situation is somewhat different but leads to a similar conclusion. The Italian winger joined Liverpool in 2024 with a strong reputation following his time in Serie A and with the Italian national team. Nevertheless, he has struggled to make a consistent impact since arriving at Anfield.

Under Arne Slot, Chiesa rarely received extended opportunities to establish himself. He made only five starts last season, while injuries further disrupted his progress. He also missed the opening stages of the current campaign because of fitness problems.

There are now concerns that Chiesa could face another difficult season under Iraola. His omission from the Champions League squad suggests that he may not currently be considered one of the manager’s main attacking options. Like Endo, he may have to rely heavily on domestic cup competitions for regular opportunities.

Interestingly, Liverpool have still included several players who are dealing with long-term injuries. Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley were all registered despite their fitness problems. Their inclusion highlights how complicated squad management can become when clubs must balance immediate availability with longer-term plans.

The decision also demonstrates the importance of UEFA’s squad regulations. Liverpool cannot simply include every first-team player, meaning the coaching staff and club hierarchy have to make difficult choices. Players who are fit but unlikely to feature can find themselves left out, while injured players with a more significant long-term role can still occupy valuable places.

For Endo, the decision may mark a turning point in his Liverpool career. While he remains popular with supporters and has earned considerable respect for his professionalism, his future at the club looks increasingly uncertain. If Iraola does not see him as part of his plans, a transfer could have provided the midfielder with an opportunity to find regular football elsewhere.

Carragher’s comments therefore reflect a broader question about Liverpool’s squad planning. The club needs enough depth to compete across multiple competitions, but it must also ensure that its squad places are being used efficiently. Keeping players who are unlikely to play can create unnecessary competition for limited registration spaces.

For now, both Endo and Chiesa remain Liverpool players and are still eligible to appear in domestic competitions. Their exclusion from the Champions League does not prevent them from featuring in the Premier League or domestic cup matches. Nevertheless, unless their circumstances change, both players could find themselves playing only a limited role this season.

Endo’s story is particularly notable because he has gone from an unexpected signing to a well-liked figure at Anfield, only to find himself outside the manager’s immediate plans. Carragher may believe that allowing him to leave would have been the most practical decision, even if it would have been difficult for supporters to see a popular “cult hero” depart.

Ultimately, the coming months will reveal whether Carragher’s assessment proves correct. If Endo and Chiesa continue to struggle for opportunities, Liverpool may regret not making changes during the transfer window. Conversely, injuries, fixture congestion and domestic cup competitions could still provide both players with chances to prove that they remain valuable members of the squad.