Nightmarish debut: Liverpool's young acquisition set to miss whole year after tearing his ACL
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 26.09.25. | 20:32
The 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni will try to forget his maiden game with the Reds as soon as possible, while his compatriot Federico Chiesa could unexpectedly benefit from his severe injury
While Ibrahima Konate's "flirt" with Real Madrid was still in progress, Liverpool were keen on signing a centre-back who could replace the Frenchman, but also learn from the super-experienced Virgil van Dijk, and become the club's investment for the future.
The Reds found what they needed in Italy, bringing the 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni from Parma for €31 million.
Thirty-nine days after joining the Anfield crew, the youngster got a chance to debut against Southampton in the EFL Cup. Liverpool advanced after a 2-1 win, but Leoni will undoubtedly want to forget his maiden game with his new team as soon as possible, as he suffered a severe injury.
In the 81st minute, Leoni injured his knee and was forced to leave the pitch, and today, Liverpool boss Arne Slot confirmed the worst fears.
'He's not in a good place, he tore his ACL' 💬
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 26, 2025
Arne Slot confirms Liverpool's Giovanni Leoni is set to be out for a year due to injury pic.twitter.com/efJwxBuQvK
"He is not in a good place because he tore his ACL which means he will be out for a year," the Dutchman stated in the press conference ahead of his team's Premier League clash against Crystal Palace (tomorrow, 17.00) via BBC.
As if they never signed any defenders, Liverpool are now left with Konate, Van Dijk, and Joe Gomez as available centre-backs. However, Leoni's injury could unexpectedly have a silver lining for his compatriot Federico Chiesa, as he is set to replace the ex-Parma man in the Reds' UEFA Champions League squad.
🚨 Federico Chiesa will be included as part of #LFC Champions League list to replace Leoni, as reported.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 26, 2025
Slot: “We have looked into this process, some people do this. If I am informed correctly, if a player is out for 2 months or more, can replace him. So we're looking into it”. pic.twitter.com/0O4fh6g9nu
"Yeah, we've looked into this. I cannot tell you exactly where that process is at the moment. That is not something I do myself, there are other people doing this."
"But if I'm informed correctly, if a player has a longer than two-month injury, you are able to replace him. That's what they've told me and now we have to see if it's true or not, but other people are looking into that," Slot revealed via the club's official website.
So, one man's loss is another man's gain - in this case, at least.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 6
Saturday
14.30: (3.55) Brentford (3.70) Man.Utd. (2.10)
17.00: (1.80) Chelsea (3.80) Brighton (4.30)
17.00: (4.10) Crystal Palace (3.50) Liverpool (1.90)
17.00: (3.00) Leeds (3.40) Bournemouth (2.50)
17.00: (1.18) Man.City (8.00) Burnley (16.0)
19.30: (1.80) Nott.Forest (3.60) Sunderland (5.10)
22.00: (1.48) Tottenham (4.30) Wolverhampton (7.00)
Sunday
16.00: (2.35) Aston Villa (3.35) Fulham (3.30)
18.30: (3.60) Newcastle (3.45) Arsenal (2.20)
Monday
22.00: (1.80) Everton (3.60) West Ham (5.10)
***odds are subject to change***
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