BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Wednesday, July 12, 2017: Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne in action against Tranmere Rovers during a preseason friendly match at Prenton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Nathaniel Clyne left out of Liverpool’s Champions League group stage squad

Liverpool have named their squad for the Champions League group stage, and while Philippe Coutinho‘s inclusion is no surprise, the omission of Nathaniel Clyne comes as a shock.

The Reds sealed a place at Europe’s top table with a two-legged win over Hoffenheim last month, reaching the group stages for the first time since 2014/15.

With the home clash with Sevilla on September 12 now edging closer, the Reds have submitted their 32-man squad ahead of their six upcoming group matches.

The one real surprise is the exclusion of Clyne, who was seen as a definite part of Liverpool’s Champions League adventure.

Admittedly, the 26-year-old is currently missing with an ongoing back injury, but Adam Lallana is included, despite not being expected to be fit until November.

Clyne has already missed two months, but there’s been very little news on his injury and this exclusion would seemingly indicate he won’t be available for the next three months.

With Clyne sidelined, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez have both shone in the role so far this season, but it would still be odd to omit a player of such experience if there isn’t a serious injury we haven’t been made aware of.

Worryingly, it means Gomez will be required even more at right-back in these coming months – which means the Reds only have three centre-back options.

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Wednesday, July 12, 2017: Liverpool's substitute Lazar Markovic before a preseason friendly match at Prenton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Bizarrely too, wingers Sheyi Ojo and Ryan Kent are named in the squad, despite being loaned out this summer on season long deals.

Meanwhile, Lazar Markovic and Danny Ings have also failed to make the cut, adding further doubt to their respective Anfield futures.

Elsewhere, Coutinho is named in the squad, after failing to complete a move to Barcelona, and there is a surprise call-up for 18-year-old Conor Masterson.

New signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is unsurprisingly included, and youngsters Ben Woodburn, Harry Wilson and Rhian Brewster are also part of the 32.

Liverpool’s Champions League group stage squad

Goalkeepers

Loris Karius
Simon Mignolet
Danny Ward

Defence

Dejan Lovren
Joe Gomez
Ragnar Klavan
Alberto Moreno
Andy Robertson
Joel Matip
Jon Flanagan
Conor Masterson
Trent Alexander-Arnold

Midfield

Gini Wijnaldum
James Milner
Philippe Coutinho
Jordan Henderson
Marko Grujic
Adam Lallana
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Emre Can
Cameron Brannagan
Ovie Ejaria
Ben Woodburn
Harry Wilson
Sheyi Ojo

Attack

Roberto Firmino
Mohamed Salah
Daniel Sturridge
Sadio Mane
Dominic Solanke
Ryan Kent
Rhian Brewster

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments