Liverpool’s defensive ranks have taken a major hit after summer signing Giovanni Leoni suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury on his debut. The 18-year-old centre-back, recruited from Serie A side Parma for a fee of £26 million plus add-ons, limped off in the closing stages of Liverpool’s 2-1 Carabao Cup third-round victory over Southampton on Tuesday night.
Leoni, who had impressed with 17 senior appearances in Italy’s top flight before his move to Merseyside, was making his first appearance under new head coach Arne Slot. But what should have been a night to remember quickly turned into a nightmare, as the young defender clutched his left knee in visible distress after an innocuous-looking challenge.
Despite initially attempting to play on, Leoni was forced to withdraw in the 81st minute. Subsequent medical examinations have since raised fears that the teenager has suffered damage to his anterior cruciate ligament — an injury that typically requires surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period of six to nine months.
If confirmed, the setback could rule Leoni out for the remainder of the season, a devastating blow both for the player and for Liverpool’s carefully laid plans to integrate him gradually into their first-team setup.
“He is down because, for him, it didn’t feel good immediately,” Slot admitted in his post-match press conference. “Normally the emotions of a player tell you a lot. We all hope it is not as serious as it looks, but of course the first signs are not positive.”
For Liverpool, the timing could hardly be worse. While the defending Premier League champions have made a perfect start to the domestic campaign — winning all five league fixtures so far — their squad depth at centre-back has suddenly become a concern. With Leoni sidelined, Slot is left with only three senior central defenders: captain Virgil van Dijk, France international Ibrahima Konaté, and the versatile Joe Gomez.
That trio has vast experience, but Liverpool’s fixture calendar is unforgiving. The club are competing across four competitions, including the Champions League, where a gruelling group stage lies ahead. The possibility of further injuries in defence leaves Slot and his coaching staff with little margin for error.
Liverpool do have the option to make alterations to their Champions League squad. With Leoni now unavailable, one of the remaining registration spots could go to Federico Chiesa. The Italian forward, who arrived at Anfield this summer from Juventus, was initially omitted from the European squad as Slot sought greater defensive balance. But with Leoni’s absence, the door has reopened for Chiesa’s inclusion, adding attacking depth instead.
Leoni’s injury also poses questions about Liverpool’s strategy in the transfer market. The club invested heavily in youth this summer, with Leoni viewed as a long-term successor in central defence. His combination of athleticism, composure on the ball, and Serie A experience had marked him out as one of Europe’s most promising defensive talents. Losing him before he could settle in English football is a cruel twist for both the teenager and the team.
In the short term, Slot may look to the academy to provide cover. Players such as Jarell Quansah, who featured sporadically last season, could be called upon more regularly. Liverpool also retain the option of reshuffling their back line, with Gomez capable of operating at right-back and defensive midfield if required.
For now, however, the focus is on Leoni’s recovery. ACL injuries are among the most dreaded in football, often requiring not just physical rehabilitation but also mental resilience to return to the highest level. At just 18, Leoni has time on his side, but patience will be key.
Liverpool fans will be hoping to see their new signing back on the pitch before the end of the campaign, though the medical team will not take risks with his long-term career. As Slot put it, “We must give him all the support he needs. He has a big future, and this is just one of the challenges he will overcome.”
For a club flying high at the start of their title defence, the injury is a sobering reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.
