Wataru Endō was left out of Liverpool’s 25-man Champions League squad for the league phase, a clear sign that the midfielder was not among Arne Slot’s selected options for UEFA’s List A.
The decision matters because Liverpool can register only 25 players for the league phase, and that limit is tightened further by the requirement to include eight locally trained squad members. That pushed Liverpool into difficult choices, even with some familiar names available for selection.
Endō’s omission comes after he was an unused substitute against both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, so the Champions League call only adds to a run in which he has not been central to the matchday picture. Liverpool also named Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike in the squad as they work back to fitness from long-term injuries.
What it means for Liverpool
Last September, Federico Chiesa was left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad by Slot, only to be drafted in a few weeks later when Giovanni Leoni tore his ACL. This time, though, Endō is the player left on the outside at the start of the campaign.
Liverpool open their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield next Wednesday night, so the squad decision will be in focus right away. Endō remains part of the broader Liverpool picture, but for the league phase at least, he was not one of the midfielders chosen.
