Liverpool have named their 22-man squad for the opening stages of this season’s Champions League – and a surprise name will not feature in Europe under Arne Slot in the coming weeks.
Liverpool have confirmed their 22-man squad for the Champions League, with Arne Slot’s side set to face a demanding league phase against Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Qarabag, Eintracht Frankfurt, Marseille, and Galatasaray.
The Reds will open their campaign at Anfield against Diego Simeone’s Atletico, though Federico Chiesa will not feature after being left out of the squad entirely.
Record signing Alexander Isak is included alongside fellow summer arrivals Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike. Rising star Rio Ngumoha, who impressed on his Premier League debut against Newcastle last month, is also named and could make his first European appearance.
As journalist Ian Doyle highlighted, Liverpool were restricted to a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players, with Ngumoha taking one of those coveted slots.
Liverpool’s Champions League squad in full:
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 Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch
Forwards: Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Rio Ngumoha
UEFA regulations allow a maximum of 25 players in List A, including at least two goalkeepers. Each club must register a minimum of eight “locally trained” players, with no more than four association-trained players among them.
Players born on or after January 1, 2004, who have been registered with the club for at least two uninterrupted years, can instead be listed under List B. Sixteen-year-olds may also be registered if they have been with the club for the previous two years without interruption.
Arne Slot reacts to Liverpool’s Champions League draw
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has shared his thoughts on the Reds’ Champions League fixtures, highlighting their showdown with Real Madrid as a standout tie.
“Like last season, it’s a very tough draw – but that’s what you expect in the Champions League, especially under the new format where there are no easy groups,” Slot said after the announcement.
“At the same time, it’s an exciting draw, filled with big matches both home and away. To welcome Real Madrid back to Anfield will be something special. Last year’s clash was unforgettable, and I expect this one will be the same. It’s a game that the entire football world will be watching.”
