Two additions to Liverpool’s 2022-23 squad dropped from Champions League squad

Liverpool drop Arthur Melo and Calvin Ramsay from their Champions League squad

According to The Athletic (subscription required), Liverpool have dropped midfielder Arthur Melo and young right-back Calvin Ramsay from their Champions League squad for the knockout ties.

Clubs are allowed to make three changes to the squad that featured in the group stage. To accommodate the two exclusions, the Reds have brought in January signing Cody Gakpo and midfield duo Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Stefan Bajcetic has been dropped from the List A squad (he became the third excluded), but can still play the games by being in the List B squad because he has been at the club for more than two years.

It is not much of a surprise to see Arthur dropped as the only time he played for the Liverpool senior side was in the Champions League for 13 minutes during a 4-1 defeat to Napoli. A long-term injury has not helped his cause, although he isn’t really that good, is he?

For Ramsay, it has been a frustrating first season as a Liverpool player. He was given a setback during the transfer medical of having an injury, and has not played much football since. The young Scotsman still has time on his side though, hence this exclusion shouldn’t dishearten him much.

Luis Diaz has kept his place in the squad despite a long-term injury. There is a hope that he could feature for the Reds in the second leg of the last-16 tie against Real Madrid in March.

Having been eliminated from both the domestic cup competitions and featuring no hope in the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp knows the Champions League is the only ticket to the trophy this season.

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The quest for that starts with a difficult tie against the reigning European champions. Although our form suggests we should be nowhere near them, our history in this competition gives us hope.