Endo and Chiesa Omitted from Champions League: Liverpool Betting on the Future or Shooting Themselves in the Foot?

When Liverpool's 25-man squad for this season's Champions League was announced, I realized I had seen this scene somewhere before. Not at Anfield, but at another stadium, half a world away, where an experienced coach had also cast aside experienced players to bet on young cards. People filter transfer news, I filter the sweat of the market. And this sweat tastes of recklessness. Context: Liverpool has just officially announced their squad registration for the 2026-25 UEFA Champions League. The shock is not that they registered 25 players, but that two notable names are absent: Wataru Endo, the Japanese defensive midfielder who was a mainstay last season, and Federico Chiesa, the new signing expected to create sparks in attack. Meanwhile, three injured players were registered, including Conor Bradley - the promising young right-back. James Pearce, the reputable The Athletic journalist, confirmed this information. According to UEFA regulations, each club can register a maximum of 25 players in List A, of which at least 8 must be locally trained (4 club-trained, 4 association-trained). Players under 21 like Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni do not need to be registered in List A because they qualify for List B - a flexible mechanism allowing clubs to add young players without occupying a spot. What concerns me is not the decision to omit Endo and Chiesa - that is within the coaching staff's authority. The issue lies in the message this decision sends, and in how it reflects a larger trend in how big clubs are operating. Let's start with Endo. The 31-year-old Japanese player was signed by Liverpool from Stuttgart for around £16.2 million in August 2026. Last season, he played over 30 matches in all competitions, becoming one of the most beloved players at Anfield thanks to his tireless fighting spirit. He was still on the bench for the matches against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, with no signs of injury. So why would a fit, experienced player be omitted from the European squad? The answer lies in the football philosophy of coach Arne Slot - the successor to Jurgen Klopp. Slot, as I have followed since his time at Feyenoord, is a proponent of possession-based football. He prioritizes midfielders who can move the ball quickly, handle pressure well, and participate in high pressing. Endo, despite excelling in ball-winning and recovery, is not the type of player Slot needs in big European matches where controlling the tempo is vital. This leads me to an important observation: omitting Endo is not an impulsive decision, but a clear tactical signal. Slot is building a midfield with players like Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones, and Elliott - those who can progress the ball better, press smarter, and especially handle pressure better in tight spaces. Endo, while still a reliable backup option in the Premier League, is not part of the long-term plan for European competition. What about Chiesa? The Italian new signing was brought in from Juventus for around £10-12 million, a figure considered a bargain for a player who shone at EURO 2026. However, he is carrying an injury. His omission from the Champions League squad could be explained by fitness reasons, but I suspect there is also a tactical factor. Chiesa has not yet adapted to Liverpool's pressing system, and the coaching staff may not want to risk using him in Europe's most demanding competition when he is not ready. Interestingly, three injured players were registered, including Conor Bradley. This is a calculated strategy: registering them early so that when they recover, they can play immediately in the group stage or knockout rounds without needing additional procedures. UEFA allows clubs to modify their squad before each round, but registering early gives Liverpool more flexibility in squad rotation. This is a controlled gamble, but it also shows the coaching staff's confidence in these players' recovery. However, I want to offer a contrarian view: omitting Endo and Chiesa could be a strategic mistake. In a long season with a congested fixture list, having an experienced player like Endo in the European squad is an invaluable asset. He may not fit Slot's philosophy, but in tense matches where solidity and experience are needed, Endo is the type of player who can help Liverpool overcome difficulties. I have followed many Champions League matches, and I know that in the knockout rounds, small details like a well-timed interception can make a huge difference. Moreover, omitting Chiesa could send the wrong message to other new signings. If a newly arrived player is immediately left out of the European squad, it could affect their morale and confidence. Liverpool spent money to bring Chiesa in, and not using him in the most prestigious competition could diminish his market value. Looking broader, this decision reflects a trend happening at big clubs: they increasingly prioritize young players who can quickly adapt to the coach's philosophy, rather than experienced players whose style is harder to change. This may be good for long-term development, but it also creates short-term risks, especially when facing formidable European opponents. I remember the summer of 2026, when I lost my television contract at age 53. Instead of accepting my fate, I started following Guangzhou Evergrande's transfer window and writing analysis pieces about potential deals. I revealed the loan-with-obligation-to-buy deal for Deng Hanwen from Beijing Renhe for 4 million RMB - information no one else had. My video attracted 1.2 million views, and even the player's agent shared my handwritten transfer notebook. The lesson I learned is: in football, as in life, bold decisions come with risks, but if you have enough data and confidence, you can turn risk into opportunity. Liverpool is betting on the future. They believe that young players and those fitting Slot's philosophy will help them go further in the Champions League. It's a gamble, but not without foundation. However, I still think omitting Endo is premature. The Japanese player still has much value, and keeping him in the European squad would give Liverpool an additional tactical option against defensive, counter-attacking opponents. Losing a microphone, I realized I could build an entire sound system from data. Similarly, Liverpool can turn the absence of Endo and Chiesa into an opportunity to test new options. But they also need to prepare for the worst-case scenario: if the young players don't meet expectations, or if the injured players don't recover in time, Liverpool could find themselves in a difficult situation in the group stage. At this age, I no longer run faster, but I know which way the wind blows. And the wind is blowing in the direction Liverpool is heading. They are building a team for the future, willing to sacrifice short-term gains for long-term goals. It's an admirable strategy, but it also carries many risks. The question is: will Liverpool have enough patience to wait for young players to mature, or will they regret discarding experienced players when the season reaches its decisive phase? I don't have the answer, but I will closely follow this team's progress. Because, as I said, every transfer number is an athlete sprinting, and every tactical decision is a gamble that can shape an entire season. Finally, I want to emphasize one thing: sport is not just about numbers and tactics. It's about human stories, about difficult decisions and unforeseen consequences. Liverpool has made a bold decision, and now they must live with it. Will they succeed? Only time will tell. But I believe that, whatever the outcome, the lesson from this decision will be an important part of the club's development journey. And for me, as someone who has spent a lifetime observing and analyzing football, I will continue to follow this story with the curiosity of a scientist and the passion of a fan. Because, as I said, the stands may be empty, but the match still has its own heartbeat. And Liverpool's heartbeat is beating faster than ever.