Carragher warns Endo and Chiesa are doomed under Iraola
Jamie Carragher has warned that Liverpool should have let Wataru Endo depart, branding him and Federico Chiesa as players who are "never going to play" after Andoni Iraola omitted them from the 25-man Champions League squad announced in September 2026.
New signings and departed stars
Iraola arrives with a handful of fresh faces, including Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola, while the club has seen the exits of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.
Omitted players and injury‑hit inclusions
Both Endo and Chiesa have not featured this season; Endo has yet to start under Iraola and Chiesa has struggled for minutes since joining the Reds in 2024.
Despite long‑term injuries, Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley remain in the Champions League list, and 21‑year‑old James McConnell earned a squad place despite not playing a first‑team match since the 2024/25 season.
Liverpool omit Chiesa from Champions League squad amid injury crisis
Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher said: "Liverpool have got two players in the squad who are never going to play. And there are all these quotas, you can only have 17 (non‑homegrown) players and all that." He added, "They have got Chiesa and Endo. It's like they are never going to kick a ball."
Endo made just 12 appearances across all competitions last season, battling an ankle injury and limited selection, after joining in the summer of 2023 under Jurgen Klopp.
Chiesa featured 36 times last season, scoring three goals, but managed only five starts and missed the opening of the current campaign through a back injury.
Carragher says Liverpool should have cut Endo immediately
The duo remain registered for the Premier League, but will miss Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid. Endo could appear when Liverpool travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town on Friday, while Chiesa may return once his injury heals. The discussion also referenced Amie, and the club LIVERPOOL continues to assess its options. Sep remains a busy month for the Reds.