Andoni Iraola omits two stars from Liverpool's Champions League squad as surprise name included

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraiola has left out two first-team players from the club's Champions League squad - but a surprise star has been included.

The Reds qualified for the Champions League league phase after finishing fifth in the Premier League under Arne Slot - and taking the additional European spot.

New man Iraola will manage in Europe's leading club competition for the first time and he has made some big calls when it comes to his squad for the first stage.

As reported by James Pearce of The Athletic, there is no place for Federico Chiesa or Wataru Endo in the 25-man squad.

Chiesa was expected to leave Anfield in the summer transfer window after a lack of minutes last term and he missed the opening two games of the season due to a muscle injury.

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Behind new signings Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola, the Italian is able to play in the Premier League but cannot play in any of Liverpool's Champions League fixtures.

Japan international Endo in the same predicament even with Liverpool's shortage of options in midfield.

However, in a major boost for the six-time European champions, the injured trio of Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovani Leoni have been selected.

Ekitike, Liverpool's top scorer last season, ruptured his Achilles back in April against Paris Saint-Germain and has been on the mend following surgery.

His inclusion means there is hope he is close to a return to action.

Bradley has been absent since suffering a knee injury against Arsenal, leaving Jeremie Frimpong as the only recognised right-back.

Leoni joined in the summer of 2025 but suffered an ACL injury on his debut and has been out for close to a year. The Italian centre-back is poised to return to training later this month.

UEFA rules state that the 25 players in List A must included at least eight ‘locally trained’ squad members.

Because of their age, prospects Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni do not need to be included as they qualify for the B List.

Chiesa and Endo's exclusion would appear to indicate that those currently injured are not far away from returning, while the move makes it easier to register a new signing in January if Liverpool are active.

Liverpool’s 25-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Jaros

Defenders: Gomez, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez, Bradley, Leoni, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Araujo, Chambers, Mabaya

Midfielders: Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Munoz, Gravenberch, McConnell

Forwards: Isak, Gakpo, Ekitike, Barcola.

Who will Liverpool play in the Champions League this season?

Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night. Their first away game in the competition will see them take on Austrian side LASK.

Another Spanish opponent comes to Anfield on 20 October as Villarreal come to town, before Liverpool play away at Fenerbahce and Club Brugge in November.

Their sole December European fixture is a visit of Portuguese giants FC Porto, while the schedule concludes with clashes against Inter Milan and RC Lens in January.

The top eight teams in the league phase automatically qualify for the round of 16.