Wataru Endo is out injured for a while, and Liverpool cannot replace him in their Champions League squad thanks to a UEFA rule.
Endo suffered a ‘serious’ injury when he started at right-back in the Reds’ win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
In the days after the injury, Arne Slot suggested the midfielder will be out for a while. He said: “I assume he will be out for a long, long time.
Got a horrible feeling Slot is going to keep Gakpo in the XI and drop Salah 😬 Who should be the front four vs Forest?
Liverpool predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
Liverpool predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
“What is long, it is difficult to say at this moment but you can hardly believe what this right full-back position brings us this season.”
Endo will be a big miss for Liverpool, not only because of his experience, but also because of the versatility he provided.
A natural midfielder, the Japan international was also proving to be capable cover at right-back and centre-back – two positions the Reds are very light in right now.
Liverpool can’t add more senior players to Champions League squad
However, thanks to one UEFA rule, Liverpool will not be able to replace Endo in their Champions League squad.
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UEFA rule 31.14.c allows a maximum of one outfield player to be replaced in the event of long-term injury or illness.
Good news, right? Well, not exactly, as it is only in effect for the first six games of the league phase, which is obviously now over.
Liverpool are now into the last-16 of the competition, and their squad has been depleted ahead of learning their opponents next week.
The only way Slot can now add players to his squad is via the B list, but the options available will not be senior players.
That is because, as per UEFA’s official handbook: “A player may be registered on List B if he is born on or after January 1, 2004 and has, since his 15th birthday, been eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted period of two years, or a total of three consecutive years with a maximum of one loan period to a club from the same association for a period not longer than one year.”
It leaves Liverpool with just 19 senior players for the remainder of their stint in the Champions League.
Anyone else getting that sinking feeling ahead of Sunday?
Why are we SO bad against Forest?
Arne Slot gestures at his watch during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (Credit: Getty Images/Shaun Botterill).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Shaun Botterill
When is the Champions League last-16 draw
As Liverpool finished in the top eight of the group, they avoided the league phase play-offs and will return to action in the last-16 next month.
The draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will be held on Friday, February 27.
It will take place at 08:30 CET, which is 7:30AM in the United Kingdom.
In the last 16, Liverpool can potentially face Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, Galatasaray or Juventus.
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