Softfootball confirms that Liverpool have been dealt a major blow after teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni sustained a serious ACL injury during his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton. Leoni, who reportedly snubbed Newcastle to join the Reds in a £26M deal despite the Whites and Blacks’ willingness to pay higher will sit out a lengthy duration of the season.
The 18-year-old, who arrived from Parma in the summer for a reported £26 million, had impressed throughout Tuesday’s 2-1 victory before disaster struck in the 81st minute. Leoni collapsed awkwardly and had to be stretchered off, cutting short what had been a commanding display at Anfield.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano as revealed via his official X account, initial assessments point to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, with a recovery period of nine to twelve months expected. That timeline would likely rule him out for the rest of the season, though a late return in the spring cannot be fully ruled out. An MRI scan is still awaited, but the early indications including his positioning during a Lachmann’s test, suggest a severe rupture.
Fabrizio Posted:
Liverpool centre back Giovanni Leoni has torn his ACL and will be out for several months. After excellent debut in League Cup last night with also Arne Slot very happy, an unlucky injury for Leoni who will try to be back before the end of the season.
Before the injury, Leoni showcased why Liverpool were willing to invest heavily in him, winning all his aerial duels and registering six clearances alongside three interceptions. His composure drew praise from manager Arne Slot, who highlighted the teenager among the standout performers in a post-game interview uploaded on the club’s official website, he also slammed Hugo Ekitike’s needless red card against the Saints, calling it stupid.
Arne Said:
“Not our best performance as a team, but there were positives,Giorgi Mamardashvili was good, Federico Chiesa was good, and Giovanni Leoni also had a really strong game.”
Leoni’s absence leaves Liverpool light in central defence, with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez now the only senior centre-backs available. The injury also creates selection headaches in Europe, as UEFA regulations allow squad changes if a player is ruled out for more than 60 days.
The Reds, who remain unbeaten in the Premier League, face a quick turnaround with a trip to Crystal Palace this weekend the only other side still unbeaten in the competition.
