Liverpool has officially confirmed its 22-man squad for the upcoming Champions League group stage, with Federico Chiesa being the notable absentee. The Reds, who are eager to improve upon their last-16 exit in the previous season, will kick off their campaign with a home match against Atletico Madrid on September 17. They are also set to face strong opponents including Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Qarabag, Galatasaray, Eintracht Frankfurt, Inter Milan, and Marseille throughout the group stage, which runs until late January.

The squad includes several new signings such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giovanni Leoni, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Freddie Woodman. However, due to UEFA regulations, only 17 non-homegrown players can be included in the list, which explains Chiesa's exclusion. Additionally, Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns, who played in last season's Champions League, will not be on the main squad list but are eligible to be registered on 'List B' due to their ages and club-trained status.

Liverpool's head coach, Arne Slot, is keen to make a significant impact in the tournament this year, and should the team progress to the knockout stages, they will have the opportunity to make adjustments to their 'List A', allowing for the inclusion of three new players. The squad is set to feature a mix of experienced players and emerging talents as they aim for success in Europe.