Liverpool Faces Setback with Unchanged Squad Ahead of Champions League Knockout

Liverpool faces a major setback in their UEFA Champions League knockout campaign after UEFA rules forced them to submit an unchanged squad despite Conor Bradley's season-ending injury. Manager Arne Slot can't replace the defender due to strict locally trained player regulations, leaving the Reds short on right-back options ahead of their last-16 tie against a team like Juventus or Atletico Madrid. This compounds frustrations from their recent Premier League loss to Manchester City, where Slot and Ryan Gravenberch criticized referee inconsistency over a potential red card for Mo Salah's shirt pull and a denied penalty.

In AFC Champions League Elite action, Sanfrecce Hiroshima edged Johor Darul Ta'zim 2-1 with goals from Akito Suzuki's penalty and strike, denting JDT's round-of-16 hopes further after star Arif Aiman was injured on international duty. Vissel Kobe hosted FC Seoul in another key league-stage clash, while Buriram United's Neil Etheridge eyes more glory post-ASEAN debut.

Across Europe, AC Milan plans a $77 million boost in summer 2026 to secure Christian Pulisic's long-term future amid a likely Champions League return, with Newcastle needing UCL qualification to lure Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. In CONCACAF Champions Cup, San Diego FC crushed UNAM 4-1, Forge FC drew 0-0 with UANL, and Olimpia fell 1-2 to America in first-leg qualifiers.

Premier League tensions simmer with Liverpool's ref complaints echoing broader calls for consistency, while Serie A buzz builds around Pulisic's form.

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