Liverpool Champions League squad: Andoni Iraola makes Hugo Ekitike decision as Reds name squad

By Seye Omidiora | 04 Sep 2026 01:56, Last updated: 04 Sep 2026 01:57

Andoni Iraola has officially confirmed his 25-man Liverpool squad for the upcoming Champions League league signifier with 2 notable omissions.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo person some been near retired of the European radical arsenic the Reds hole for their continental campaign.

Iraola was forced to marque respective hard decisions to guarantee the Merseyside outfit satisfied strict UEFA regulations regarding the inclusion of 8 locally trained players.

As such, Chiesa and Endo find themselves watching from the sidelines erstwhile the English heavyweights big Atletico Madrid astatine Anfield adjacent Wednesday.

Liverpool Champions League squad: Injured trio included implicit elder duo

Despite presently continuing their rehabilitation from semipermanent issues, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike person each been remarkably included successful the last squad.

The trio are actively moving their mode backmost to fittingness and could play a important relation during the second stages of the league phase. 

Ekitike has not played for the Reds since sustaining an Achilles tendon injury against Paris Saint-Germain successful April, which could support him retired until 2027.

Conversely, Endo fundamentally pays the terms for the homegrown quota with 22-year-old academy postgraduate James McConnell preferred successful the midfield motor room.

The erstwhile Japan planetary has been an unused substitute successful some 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest and is wide expected to permission erstwhile his declaration expires adjacent summer.

Liverpool Champions League squad: Was penning connected partition for Chiesa astatine Anfield?

Chiesa was heavy linked with a imperishable summertime departure pursuing a frustrating 2025-26 wherever helium recorded conscionable 1 Premier League start.

However, a transportation failed to materialise, and helium present sits firmly down Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz successful the attacking hierarchy, portion Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas are besides options.

If the Italian winger cannot bid a spot portion Ekitike remains sidelined, his way backmost towards meaningful first-team shot appears progressively perilous nether the existent regime.