Giovanni Leoni Injury: Liverpool Defender Faces Long Spell Out After ACL Blow

Liverpool’s promising defender Giovanni Leoni saw his debut end in heartbreak after suffering a serious knee problem during the Carabao Cup clash against Southampton. The Giovanni Leoni Injury has now been confirmed as a suspected torn ACL, casting doubt over his availability for the remainder of the season.

Giovanni Leoni Injury Update

Head coach Arne Slot revealed that the 18-year-old “didn’t feel good immediately” following the incident. Scans later pointed to a torn ligament, with recovery expected to take between six to nine months. This rules him out of most, if not all, of the 2025–26 campaign.

Giovanni Leoni ACL and Impact on Liverpool

A torn ACL is among the most severe injuries for footballers. For Liverpool, this adds to their defensive challenges, leaving Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez as the primary centre-backs. The club may be forced to look at short-term solutions or even a January signing.

Liverpool Centre-Back Depth Table

Arne Slot on Leoni Injury

Slot has urged patience and support for the young Italian, hoping for a strong recovery. He also highlighted that UEFA rules may allow squad changes, potentially opening a path for Federico Chiesa replacement in European competition.

Giovanni Leoni Liverpool Debut Injury

The teenager, signed from Parma in August for £26 million, was tipped as a long-term successor to Van Dijk. His Liverpool debut injury is a major setback, but the club and fans remain hopeful that Leoni can return stronger once his rehabilitation is complete.