Three key names were missed from Liverpool's official roster list for the 2026-27 Premier League season, but they identify as U21 players and don't need to be declared
Jeremy Jacquet's name did not feature in Liverpool's Premier League squad list
Jeremy Jacquet's name did not feature in Liverpool's Premier League squad list(Image: Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Liverpool announced its 25-man Premier League roster for the 2026-27 season, but Jeremy Jacquet, Rio Ngumoha, and Giovanni Leoni were all absent from the list.
The summer transfer window is now over, and Liverpool concluded its business by signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. The French star could make his debut on Friday against Ipswich Town, following the $166 million transfer.
Liverpool had more outgoings than incomings this summer, making life easier for head coach Andoni Iraola when announcing his roster list. However, although three stars were not named, they will still be eligible to play for Liverpool this season.
Liverpool released the Premier League roster list for the 2026-27 season on Thursday. The club cannot add to its roster until the January transfer window, meaning those at Anfield will be locked in until next year.
The list reads, "Ronald Araujo, Bradley Barcola, Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Luke Chambers, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike, Wataru Endo, Jeremie Frimpong, Cody Gakpo, Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexander Isak, Vitezslav Jaros, Milos Kerkez, Isaac Mabaya, Alexis Mac Allister, Giorgi Mamardashvili, James McConnell, Victor Munoz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Kostas Tsimikas, Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz, Freddie Woodman."
The absence of Jacquet, Ngumoha, and Leoni shocked some Liverpool fans, who wondered whether they were injured or unavailable. However, their young age means that they are eligible to play regardless.
Premier League regulations state that each club's squad must contain no more than 17 players who do not fulfill the 'homegrown player' criteria. The rest of the squad, up to a total of 25 players, must be homegrown.
Rio Ngumoha has played a more senior role for Liverpool
Rio Ngumoha has played a more senior role for Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
The definition of a homegrown player applies to those registered with a club for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons, or 36 months, before their 21st birthday. It also applies to playing and turning 21 during a season.
The club's U21 players are not included in the 25-man roster, and those stars must have been born on or after January 1, 2005. Jacquet is the oldest of the three and was born on July 13, 2005.
Ngumoha and Leoni are both teenagers, meaning they are also categorized as U21 players. Jacquet and Ngumoha have already featured this season, while Leoni is one of three Liverpool players out injured, alongside Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa.
Giovanni Leoni has only played once for Liverpool since joining the club
Giovanni Leoni has only played once for Liverpool since joining the club(Image: (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images))
"The closest one is Joe," Iraola said when asked about Liverpool's injured trio before Friday's game against Ipswich. "Joe will probably start training with us next week.
"He’s had a normal recovery from a muscle injury, more or less. We were expecting the time on this. I hope we can have him before the break, let’s say.
"The next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni. I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group, I think even Fede should be around those dates."