Ronald Araujo's season-long loan from Barcelona has filled Liverpool's quota of non-homegrown players in the Premier League for the upcoming campaign. The 27-year-old Uruguay international defender's arrival means the Reds now have 17 such players, the maximum allowed.
Homegrown rules explained
Premier League rules define a homegrown player as one affiliated with any English or Welsh club for three entire seasons or 36 months before their 21st birthday, regardless of nationality. That is why Jeremie Frimpong, who spent years at Manchester City's Academy, counts as homegrown despite being a Netherlands international. Clubs may register no more than 17 non-homegrown players, with the rest of the 25-man squad made up of homegrown players. Under-21 players, born on or after January 1 2005 this season, are not counted on the squad list and remain eligible.
Squad decisions looming
Should Liverpool sign another overseas player before the deadline, they would have to drop a non-homegrown player. Calvin Ramsay, yet to play in the Premier League for the Reds, is the most likely candidate, with Federico Chiesa arguably next at risk. Squads do not need to be confirmed until early September, after the transfer window closes.
Champions League rules differ, meaning Liverpool would have fewer non-homegrown players available on List A. Chiesa was initially left out last season before being called up after Leoni's knee injury. Liverpool can wait until early September to finalise their Champions League squad.
Current squad breakdown
Liverpool's non-homegrown players include Alisson, Mamardashvili, Ramsay, Van Dijk, Araujo, Kerkez, Tsimikas, Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Ekitike, Chiesa, Gakpo, Isak, and Munoz. Selected homegrown players are Woodman, Jaros, Davies, Frimpong, Gomez, Bradley, Chambers, Jones, McConnell, Bajcetic, and Elliott. Selected under-22s include Leoni, Jacquet, Ndiaye, Morrison, Nyoni, Danns, Ngumoha, Wright, Koumas, and Abe.
