Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni has suffered another delay in his recovery from a serious knee injury, with his return to team training now expected after the November international break.
The 19-year-old Italian sustained the injury on his Liverpool debut in September 2025 and has been working towards a return ever since. However, the latest update indicates that he will need additional time before rejoining his teammates, pushing back hopes of an earlier comeback.
Andoni Iraola has stressed the importance of managing the defender’s recovery carefully rather than rushing him back into action.
“We need to be careful. The plan is for Gio to be back after November international break,” Iraola said.
The latest timeline represents a delay of approximately one month from the previous expectation, when Liverpool had hoped Leoni might return to group training during the most recent international break.
However, the setback is not necessarily being treated as a recurrence of the original injury. Instead, the updated schedule reflects the need to give the young defender sufficient time to complete his rehabilitation and regain his fitness.
Leoni joined Liverpool from Parma during the summer of 2025 in a transfer reportedly worth around €30 million. The centre-back arrived with considerable potential and was viewed as a long-term investment for the club’s defensive options.
His progress was interrupted on September 23, 2025, when he suffered a serious knee injury during a League Cup fixture against Southampton. That match remains his only appearance for Liverpool, leaving the teenager facing a lengthy spell away from competitive football.
The injury affected multiple structures within his knee, making his rehabilitation particularly demanding. Liverpool have consequently had to take a cautious approach to his recovery, with the priority being to ensure he can return without placing unnecessary pressure on the affected area.
For Leoni, the extended absence represents a difficult start to life at Anfield after arriving from Italian football with the opportunity to establish himself in English football.
The club will now hope that the revised schedule allows him to make meaningful progress over the coming weeks. Returning to group training after the November international break would represent an important milestone, although it would not automatically mean he is ready to feature in competitive matches immediately.
Liverpool will continue monitoring his condition as he works towards a full recovery, with patience remaining essential following such a serious injury.