Federico Chiesa left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad in fresh setback

Federico Chiesa’s time at Liverpool has suffered another significant setback after the Italian forward was omitted from the club’s 25-man Champions League squad. New head coach Andoni Iraola has finalised the list for Europe’s premier club competition, and Chiesa finds himself outside the group that will compete for a place in the latter stages.

Liverpool open their campaign for a seventh European Cup against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night. The squad submission marks the first major European selection of Iraola’s tenure and confirms that Chiesa will play no part in the league phase. Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo has also been left out.

Chiesa has already missed Liverpool’s opening two Premier League matches of the season because of a muscle injury. Even when he regains full fitness, his path back into regular contention appears more difficult following the summer arrivals of forwards Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz. The increased competition for attacking places has pushed the Italian further down the pecking order.

The situation carries a strong sense of familiarity. Under previous manager Arne Slot, Chiesa was initially excluded from the Champions League squad in similar fashion. He was only added later after centre-back Giovanni Leoni suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury. That late call-up offered temporary relief, but the pattern has now repeated under the new coaching staff.

Iraola has chosen to include three currently injured players in the 25-man list: Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike. Leoni is expected to return to training later this month after spending almost a year on the sidelines. Bradley has been absent since a knee injury sustained in January, while Ekitike has been recovering from an Achilles tendon tear suffered in April. Their presence on the squad list provides Liverpool supporters with encouragement that all three could feature before the league phase concludes on 27 January 2027.

The decision to prioritise the injured trio over fit but fringe options underlines the long-term planning involved in the selection. UEFA regulations require clubs to name a maximum of 25 players on List A, with a minimum of eight “locally trained” players included. Liverpool have met that requirement, naming academy graduates among the defensive contingent.

In midfield, 21-year-old James McConnell has been preferred to Endo. The young midfielder has made only three Premier League appearances yet has been selected ahead of the more experienced Japanese international, who, like Chiesa, has not featured in the opening two league fixtures of the season. McConnell’s inclusion reflects the coaching staff’s willingness to trust emerging talent within the squad limits.

Two further academy products, Luke Chambers and Isaac Mabaya, appear among the 11 defenders listed. Their selection helps satisfy the locally trained quota while offering defensive cover. Younger prospects such as Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni have not been named on List A. Under UEFA rules they remain eligible for List B until they turn 21, meaning their availability for matchday squads is not restricted by the senior list.

Chiesa’s omission continues a difficult period since his arrival at Anfield. Injuries have limited his opportunities, and the latest squad decision suggests that the new management sees limited immediate need for him in European competition. The presence of Barcola and Munoz has strengthened the attacking options, reducing the likelihood of regular rotation involving the Italian.

Endo’s exclusion follows a similar logic. Despite his experience and previous contributions, the midfielder has been overlooked in favour of McConnell. The choice indicates a clear preference for the younger option within the limited midfield places available under the 25-man restriction.

The inclusion of Leoni, Bradley and Ekitike is the most notable aspect of the list for many supporters. All three have been significant absentees, yet each retains a pathway back into the side before the end of the league phase. Leoni’s impending return to training is particularly encouraging after such a lengthy recovery period. Bradley and Ekitike face longer rehabilitations, but their presence on the official squad offers hope that they can contribute once fully fit.

Liverpool’s European campaign begins with a high-profile home fixture against Atletico Madrid. The absence of Chiesa and Endo will not dominate pre-match discussion given the strength of the available squad, yet it remains a clear statement of the current hierarchy. Iraola has used the first major squad submission of his tenure to prioritise certain profiles and long-term recovery plans over players who currently sit outside the core group.

The rules governing List A and List B continue to shape these decisions. Clubs must balance experience, form, injury status and the mandatory inclusion of locally trained players. Liverpool’s submission reflects that balancing act: established names, injured players with future potential, and young academy graduates all feature, while Chiesa and Endo do not.

For Chiesa the latest development represents another obstacle in what has already been a challenging adaptation to life at Anfield. Muscle problems have delayed his start to the season, and the Champions League omission compounds the sense that opportunities will be limited even when he returns to full training. Whether the door opens later in the campaign, as it did under Slot after Leoni’s injury, remains to be seen.

As Liverpool prepare for Wednesday’s match, attention will focus on the players who have been selected and on the progress of those recovering from injury. The squad list itself, however, has already delivered a clear message about the Italian forward’s present standing at the club.