Serious Liverpool injury blow as £26m signing tears his ACL and faces months out
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Giovanni Leoni, Liverpool’s £26 million signing from Parma, has suffered a torn ACL in his debut match against Southampton, which will sideline him for several months, likely the rest of the season. The injury occurred in the second half, near the touchline, forcing him off the field on a stretcher. The 18-year-old showed promising defensive skills and calmness before the unfortunate incident.
Manager Arne Slot confirmed the seriousness of the injury, explaining that immediate discomfort was evident and that Liverpool will conduct further medical evaluations, including an MRI scan, to confirm the extent. Typically, ACL injuries require recovery periods of 9 to 12 months, suggesting Leoni could miss a major part of the campaign.
Leoni’s absence leaves Liverpool short of central defenders, intensifying existing defensive challenges. Currently, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez are the senior centre-backs available, with Rhys Williams a less likely option. The injury has also prompted Liverpool to reopen negotiations for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, a move the club had explored earlier in the summer but did not complete.
Besides the domestic impact, Leoni’s long-term absence affects Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League squad registration. New UEFA rules now allow clubs to replace injured players on the list during the season, potentially enabling Liverpool to bring in a new player to fill the gap caused by Leoni’s injury.
This injury is a significant blow to Liverpool’s defensive options, as Leoni had quickly established himself as a valuable player after a strong finish to his season at Parma. The club and player now face a difficult road ahead, hoping for a full recovery but anticipating months without the promising defender.
PP