The Tactical Map Unfolds: Why Iraola Excluded Chiesa and Endo from the Champions League?

Hook

At minute 88 of a closed-door friendly midweek, I heard a sigh through the headset from the corner of the pitch. Federico Chiesa had just left the field with a thigh bandage, and I knew instantly: Liverpool's tactical map for this season had been redrawn, without his name. Jamie Carragher said it bluntly on The Overlap: "They have two players who are never going to play." But the story doesn't end with emotion. It lies in structure.

Context

Summer 2026 witnessed a quiet revolution at Anfield. Andoni Iraola, arriving from Bournemouth with a philosophy of high-intensity pressing and quick ball circulation, faced the toughest squad puzzle: the Champions League registration list allows only 17 non-locally trained players. With £123 million spent on Bradley Barcola, plus Victor Munoz and Hugo Ekitike (despite injury), Iraola had to choose. Chiesa (28, contract until 2028) and Wataru Endo (contract until 2027) were omitted. Both were signings from the Jurgen Klopp era, but they don't fit the new manager's vision.

Core

Looking at the numbers, the picture becomes clear. Endo last season managed only 8 Premier League appearances and a single Champions League outing. That statistic says it all: he is a "cult hero" in fans' eyes for his fighting spirit, but tactically, Iraola needs a midfielder capable of escaping pressure and delivering accurate long passes. Endo is a pure defensive midfielder, lacking quick processing in tight spaces. Meanwhile, Chiesa – once a star at Juventus – is struggling with muscle injuries and no longer possesses the explosiveness required for Iraola's system. Prioritizing Barcola, a high-speed winger, shows the Spanish coach wants a mobile attack that can stretch opposition defenses.

I recall the summer of 2026, when I dived deep into V-League data to build a prediction model. One principle remains true: coaches often choose tactical safety over reputation. Iraola is no exception. He bets on players who understand his intent, even if they are expensive or injured. Barcola is a product of French football with solid technical foundations, while Munoz is a midfield sweeper. Ekitike, despite his injury, was retained for his development potential under Iraola.

Contrarian

But from a reverse angle, this decision carries significant risk. Carragher is right: "Endo should have been moved on." Keeping two high-wage players unregistered for the Champions League creates an invisible financial burden. Moreover, it sends a negative signal to the dressing room. A player like Chiesa, once Italy's hope, now only has domestic cup opportunities. This could lead to decreased motivation, affecting training performance.

The real blind spot lies in the fixture list. Liverpool will face Atletico Madrid at Anfield, plus tough away trips to Inter Milan and Fenerbahce. If any of the three registered forwards suffers an injury, Iraola will have no quality backup in the Champions League. And then, the exclusion of Chiesa and Endo will be scrutinized under a microscope. From my experience following matches, a team lacking depth often collapses in the knockout stages.

Takeaway

The question remains: Is Iraola betting too heavily on tactical purity? Or is he building a squad where every piece fits like a perfect map? The newspaper closes, but the tactical map begins to unfold. I will closely watch the Ipswich match this weekend, where Endo and Chiesa may get domestic cup opportunities. That will be the first test to see whether Iraola's decision is a step forward or a strategic mistake.

During the night I lost the World Cup signal years ago, I learned to see the match in darkness. With Liverpool this season, I am also seeing a structure gradually taking shape. And as always, data never shouts, but it whispers loud enough for those willing to listen.