Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo are officially **OUT** of Liverpool’s 25-man Champions League squad. Yeah, you read that right. The Reds just dropped their List A for the league phase, and two significant names are nowhere to be found. It’s a serious shake-up, sending a clear message about manager Andoni Iraola’s vision as their high-stakes European campaign is about to kick off.
Chiesa’s Continued Struggle and Question Marks
Talk about a gut punch. Italy forward Federico Chiesa, only 28, got the ax, and it feels like history is repeating itself. He was actually left out of the initial squad *last season* under former boss Arne Slot, only getting a spot after defender Giovanni Leoni went down with a long-term knee injury in September. Now, Chiesa himself is sidelined with an injury, though manager Andoni Iraola mentioned he’s expected back in training during the international break later this month. But let’s be real, his time since joining Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024 has been an uphill battle, a struggle for first-team football. This latest exclusion, especially for such a high-profile competition, just adds another complicated layer to that ongoing story. What’s going on with Chiesa, and what does this mean for his future?
Endo Benched for Youth as Injured Players Return
Then there’s Japan midfielder Wataru Endo. At 33, he’s a veteran, but he’s been an unused substitute in their two league games this season. Now he misses the Champions League cut entirely, with the 21-year-old James McConnell getting the nod over him. That’s a bold move, pushing a young talent into that high-stakes environment over an experienced midfielder. It speaks volumes about Iraola’s confidence in the youth movement. Interestingly, a few other guys are making comebacks from long-term injuries and *did* manage to secure a spot in the squad. Defenders Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, along with striker Hugo Ekitike, are all in. Iraola noted that Leoni could return to training during the September international break, but Bradley and Ekitike are still a ways off. So, they’re taking a calculated risk on some recovering players, but not on Chiesa and Endo? It’s a head-scratcher for sure.
This is a massive call from Iraola and the Reds, and it immediately sets the tone for their European journey. Liverpool opens their Champions League campaign with a home game against Atletico Madrid next Wednesday, September 9. With these roster decisions, you know every eye will be on that pitch. What will this revamped squad look like under the pressure of Europe’s top club competition? How will they manage these early games without Chiesa and Endo? The questions are piling up faster than a Seattle drizzle, and the answers start coming next week when they face Atletico.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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