Giovanni Leoni ‘Out for Several Months’ With Torn ACL at Liverpool

Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni has suffered a ruptured ACL and will miss several months of action, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Italian defender was making his first start for Arne Slot’s side since arriving from Parma during the summer transfer window in the EFL Cup third round clash against Southampton on Wednesday night.

However, the 18-year-old was stretchered off the pitch after 81 minutes with a serious-looking knee injury, and it was now been confirmed that the club’s worst fears have come true.

Giovanni Leoni Suffers Ruptured ACL

Leoni, who signed from Parma in a deal worth around £26m, is considered to be one of the top young defensive prospects coming out of Italy, and Liverpool acted quickly during the summer to bring him into their squad as defensive cover.

But they will be forced to cope without him for much of the remainder of the campaign after it was confirmed he would miss several months of action with this injury.

Writing on his X account, Romano revealed that the player will undergo surgery and then rehabilitation and hopes to be able to return before the end of the current campaign.

Leoni’s injury means that Liverpool have just three senior centre-back options in their squad in Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, having missed out on a deal to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi on deadline day.

Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch have filled in at centre-back in the past despite their natural position being in midfield, and Slot may now look at alternative options.