Liverpool add three players to Champions League squad as summer signings removed
Jurgen Klopp has made three notable changes to his Champions League squad as Liverpool gear up for the knockout rounds of European club football's most prestigious competition.
Following the Reds booking their place in the last 16 of the tournament, they were required to submit a revised list of players to call upon for the rest of their time in the competition. As a result, Klopp has taken the opportunity to make three new additions, while three other names have been omitted.
The three that are in the squad and will be aiming to make their mark against Europe's elite are January signing Cody Gakpo, as well as the often-injured duo of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. That trio takes the place of injured summer loan signing Arthur, youngster Calvin Ramsay and emerging star Stefan Bajcetic.
Due to UEFA ruling, Bajcetic is now classed as an academy player for the Reds as he has been on the books for at least two years. In turn, this means the young Spaniard will occupy a place on List B.
Other notable additions include Luis Diaz, who has not been seen since early October due to a knee injury sustained during the 3-2 league defeat by Arsenal. He is kept in the Champions League squad, meaning the Colombian is expected to feature for Klopp's side some time soon.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Diaz is not the only Liverpool player to have his season curtailed by injury, with fellow forwards Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino all also recently enduring a spell on the sidelines.
Ahead of the Reds' trip to Wolves on Saturday afternoon, Klopp issued a fitness update where he addressed how the aforementioned trio are getting on in their varying stages of recovery.
Summmer signing Arthur has been omitted from Liverpool's Champions League squad for the knockout rounds (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! How far will Liverpool progress in this season's Champions League? Comment below
"Generally it’s looking better," the Liverpool manager claimed. "The boys are training, Diogo Jota had a full session with the team this week but then the next day had again a rehab session, not because of the session the day before, it was just part of the plan. I think he will be back in normal training next week.
"Bobby [Firmino] is getting closer obviously, very good. Luis [Diaz] is running now, it will take a few weeks still but he is now out on the pitch as well running, which is really good."
Liverpool have three more Premier League fixtures before they can turn their attention to their last-16 two-legged clash with last season's fellow finalists Real Madrid.
The Reds will surely be out for revenge following their 1-0 defeat by Los Blancos in Paris last May that robbed Liverpool from lifting what would have been their seventh Champions League title.
Liverpool's updated Champions League squad:Alisson, Kelleher, Adrian, Van Dijk, Konate, Matip, Gomez, Phillips, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Tsimikas, Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Diaz, Nunez, Gakpo, Jota, Firmino, Carvalho.
Notable List B players: Davies, Williams, Bajcetic, Jones, Elliott.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
