Liverpool Name 22-Man Champions League Squad Excluding Federico Chiesa

Liverpool has announced its 22-man List A squad for the 2025-26 Champions League group stage, notably excluding Italian forward Federico Chiesa while including teenage forward Rio Ngumoha. Chiesa, despite being a cult favorite, struggled with fitness and playing time after joining Liverpool from Juventus last year and has played only 29 minutes this season. Head coach Arne Slot prioritized Ngumoha, who impressed in pre-season and scored a late winner on his Premier League debut, but Ngumoha does not qualify for the List B registration due to UEFA rules requiring two consecutive years at the club since age 15, which he lacks since joining from Chelsea last summer. Liverpool's squad is limited to 17 non-homegrown players, and the club has added several new signings, including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike, which contributed to Chiesa's omission. The squad aims to progress beyond last season's last-16 exit, with upcoming Champions League fixtures starting against Atletico Madrid and including matches against Galatasaray, Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Internazionale, Marseille, and Qarabag. UEFA regulations require at least eight locally trained players in the squad, and Liverpool has named three goalkeepers in compliance with UEFA rules.