Softfootball confirms that Liverpool have been dealt a significant blow after teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni sustained a critical ACL harm throughout his first-team debut within the Carabao Cup win over Southampton. Leoni, who reportedly snubbed Newcastle to affix the Reds in a £26M deal regardless of the Whites and Blacks’ willingness to pay greater will sit out a prolonged period of the season.
The 18-year-old, who arrived from Parma in the summertime for a reported £26 million, had impressed all through Tuesday’s 2-1 victory earlier than catastrophe struck within the 81st minute. Leoni collapsed awkwardly and needed to be stretchered off, chopping quick what had been a commanding show at Anfield.
In keeping with switch knowledgeable Fabrizio Romano as revealed through his official X account, preliminary assessments level to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, with a restoration interval of 9 to 12 months anticipated. That timeline would probably rule him out for the remainder of the season, although a late return within the spring can’t be absolutely dominated out. An MRI scan remains to be awaited, however the early indications together with his positioning throughout a Lachmann’s take a look at, recommend a extreme rupture.
Fabrizio Posted:
Liverpool centre again Giovanni Leoni has torn his ACL and might be out for a number of months. After glorious debut in League Cup final night time with additionally Arne Slot very completely satisfied, an unfortunate harm for Leoni who will attempt to be again earlier than the top of the season.
Earlier than the harm, Leoni showcased why Liverpool have been keen to speculate closely in him, profitable all his aerial duels and registering six clearances alongside three interceptions. His composure drew reward from supervisor Arne Slot, who highlighted {the teenager} among the many standout performers in a post-game interview uploaded on the membership’s official web site, he additionally slammed Hugo Ekitike’s useless pink card in opposition to the Saints, calling it silly.
Arne Mentioned:
“Not our greatest efficiency as a staff, however there have been positives,Giorgi Mamardashvili was good, Federico Chiesa was good, and Giovanni Leoni additionally had a extremely robust sport.”
Leoni’s absence leaves Liverpool gentle in central defence, with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez now the one senior centre-backs out there. The harm additionally creates choice complications in Europe, as UEFA rules enable squad adjustments if a participant is dominated out for greater than 60 days.
The Reds, who stay unbeaten within the Premier League, face a fast turnaround with a visit to Crystal Palace this weekend the one different facet nonetheless unbeaten within the competitors.
