Liverpool's Champions League Gamble on Ekitike as Chiesa and Endo Omitted

Liverpool have taken a bold swing with their Champions League squad – backing long-term absentee Hugo Ekitike while shutting the door on two established names.

Ekitike, out since rupturing his Achilles in April, has been named in Andoni Iraola’s 25-man group for the League Phase, despite the club confirming on September 3 that there is no set return date for the French striker. The decision lays bare Iraola’s belief that the 22-year-old can still have a say in Europe this season.

The France international underwent surgery and has been working his way back towards full fitness. There is caution around his recovery, but his inclusion points to a clear target: Liverpool’s final League Phase game against RC Lens at Anfield on January 27. Naming him in the squad only makes sense if Iraola expects him to be available by then – and to contribute.

While one forward has been handed a show of faith, two senior players have been given a stark reminder of where they stand.

Chiesa and Endo left out in the cold

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo have both been omitted from the Champions League list. On paper, their situations look very different. In reality, the outcome is the same.

Chiesa is currently sidelined but is expected to return to training after the September international break. Even so, Iraola has chosen not to reserve a place for the Italian winger, a call that underlines how far he has slipped down the pecking order in European competition.

Endo’s case is even more brutal. The defensive midfielder is fully fit, available, and training – yet overlooked. This is not about injury or timing. It is about preference. Iraola simply does not see him as part of his Champions League core.

The knock-on effect is obvious. If Chiesa and Endo cannot make a 25-man European squad, their chances of meaningful minutes in domestic competitions shrink as well. Both now face a season where their futures at Anfield look increasingly fragile, with opportunities likely to be scarce.

Carragher’s warning rings true

The manager’s call echoes the blunt assessment made recently by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher argued that Liverpool were carrying two players who were “never going to play” this season, citing both Chiesa and Endo as examples while referencing the restrictions of the 17-player quota.

He went further on Endo, suggesting the Japan international “should have been moved on,” even while acknowledging he had become “a bit of a cult hero” during his time at the club.

Now Iraola’s Champions League list has given that verdict real weight. Ekitike, still working his way back from a serious injury, has been trusted to reclaim a role in Europe. Chiesa and Endo, fit or nearly fit, have been left watching from the outside.

For one striker, the door has been left tantalisingly ajar. For two others, it may already be closing.