Liverpool omit Chiesa and Endo from Champions League squad as Saliba earns Arsenal reprieve

Liverpool have omitted Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo from their 25-man Champions League squad for the 2025-26 campaign, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Manchester City also confirming their registered groups ahead of the league phase.

Chiesa’s exclusion continues a difficult spell for the Italian winger since his move from Juventus in the summer of 2024. He is currently sidelined through injury but is expected to return to training later this month. Arne Slot also left him out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad last season, though the forward was later handed a reprieve after young defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a serious knee injury. Leoni has been included in this season’s squad despite still working his way back to fitness, as have injury absentees Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike.

Arsenal’s headline story is the inclusion of William Saliba, who has been absent with a back injury. The club confirmed in late July that Saliba would follow a managed recovery programme rather than undergo surgery, though he is still expected to miss a significant period. His registration suggests Arsenal believe he could yet play some part in the competition’s opening phase. New arrivals Ezri Konsa, Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis are all named in the Gunners’ squad.

Arsenal reached the Champions League final last season, losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, who claimed the trophy for a second consecutive year.

Manchester United return to the Champions League after an absence and have included their three prominent summer signings — Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans — in their registered group.

Liverpool’s 25-man Champions League squad: Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Viteslav Jaros; Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Ronald Araujo, Luke Chambers, Isaac Mabaya; Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Aleix Mac Allister, Victor Munoz, Ryan Gravenberch, James McConnell; Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Bradley Barcola.

Arsenal’s 25-man Champions League squad: David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Illan Meslier; William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Ezri Konsa, Riccardo Calafiori; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri; Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Christos Tzolis, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke.