Liverpool have revealed their 22-man squad for the early stages of this season’s Champions League, with one notable player surprisingly left out under Arne Slot’s management.
The Reds will face tough opponents in the group stage, including Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, as well as PSV Eindhoven, Qarabag, Frankfurt, Marseille, and Galatasaray.
Slot’s team will kick off their campaign at home against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. However, winger Federico Chiesa won’t feature in Europe after being excluded from the 22-man squad announced on Wednesday. The club’s record signing, Alexander Isak, has been included along with other summer signings Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike. After a record-breaking Premier League debut last month against Newcastle, teenage prospect Rio Ngumoha has also been named and could make his European debut for the club.
Journalist Ian Doyle noted that Liverpool could only include 17 non-homegrown players in their Champions League squad, with Ngumoha occupying one of those spots.
Liverpool’s full Champions League squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman
Defenders: Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Andy Robertson, Jeremie Frimpong
Midfielders: Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Alexis MacAllister, Ryan Gravenberch
Forwards: Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Rio Ngumoha
According to UEFA rules, List A allows a maximum of 25 players, including two goalkeepers. At least eight spots are reserved for ‘locally trained players,’ with no more than four ‘association-trained players’ among them. Players born on or after January 1, 2004, who have been eligible and registered with the club for a continuous period (or almost continuous) of two or three years can be registered on List B, making them eligible for the competition.
After the draw, Arne Slot commented on Liverpool’s group, highlighting their match against Real Madrid. He acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “Like last season, it’s a very tough group, but we expected that because there are no easy draws in the Champions League, especially with the new format.”
He added, “This is an exciting draw with big games both home and away. Hosting Real Madrid again at Anfield is special. Last season’s match was memorable, and I expect the same this time. I’m sure it will be a fixture watched worldwide.”
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