Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Giovanni Leoni will be ruled out for a year after the defender was stretchered from the field in the Red’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton.
Leoni, 18, played 81 minutes against the Saints before he landed awkwardly near Anfield’s Main Stand. The summer signing was in visible distress as he was replaced by Milos Kerkez and taken straight down the tunnel following his initial treatment.
It has now been confirmed that Leoni, who was making his first start since joining from Parma in a £26m deal, will miss a significant period of time.
Slot called it a ‘terrible’ injury.
Giovanni Leoni receives medical treatment to an injury before being substituted off during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The Dutchman said: “Leoni tore his ACL, so he will be out for around a year. New club, new country, playing so well in your first game, there are no positives, but he is still so young but he has so many years left to come after such a terrible injury.”
Speaking after suffering his injury, Leoni thanked fans for their support earlier this week. “I want to sincerely thank every single person who has shown me support in this difficult moment,” Leoni wrote on Instagram.
“It wasn’t the debut I had always dreamed of, but I will give everything to be back playing in this magical stadium as soon as possible. Thank you so much!”
Giovanni Leon goes down with an injury before being stretchered and substituted off. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The injury leaves Slot with just three options in the centre of defence: Virgial van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez. Ahead of facing Crystal Palace this weekend, the Dutch coach would not be drawn on Marc Guehi, who Liverpool failed to land on transfer deadline day.
“I don’t think one day before we play Palace to talk about Guehi again, he is a Palace player and very important for them. We prepare for Palace, they have not lost for 17 games in a row, so they are a difficult team to beat but so are we.
“We beat them 1-0 and twice it was a draw. I have enough options to replace a player in the centre-back position. Virgil, Ibou and Joe.”
Meanwhile, Federico Chiesa will be added to the Reds Champions League squad after missing out on the initial cut. Liverpool defeated Atletico Madrid in their first European clash of the campaign.
Up until the sixth match of the league phase of the competition, teams are permitted to make one change to their outfield players on List A, in the event of long-term injury or illness. Chiesa will be able to replace Leoni in the squad.
