Liverpool suffer huge blow as Giovanni Leoni ruled out with ACL tear
Just a day after celebrating their Carabao Cup victory over Southampton, Liverpool have been dealt a devastating setback. Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed that 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and now faces months on the sidelines.
Leoni, signed from Parma this summer in a £26 million deal, made his long-awaited debut at Anfield in Wednesday’s third-round clash. But his night ended in heartbreak as he was stretchered off late in the game. Romano reported on X: “Liverpool centre-back Giovanni Leoni has torn his ACL and will be out for several months. After an impressive debut in the League Cup last night, this unfortunate injury means Leoni will aim to return before the season concludes.”
The news leaves Arne Slot short of defensive options. Liverpool already lost Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and narrowly missed out on Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi on Deadline Day. With Leoni sidelined, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez are now the only senior centre-backs available.
Although Liverpool strengthened in other areas — bringing in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak — Leoni was their sole long-term defensive addition. His absence will force Slot to consider internal fixes, with Rhys Williams a possible backup and even Andy Robertson seen as an emergency central option for cup fixtures.
Leoni’s injury also opens the door for squad reshuffling. Federico Chiesa, who publicly sent his support, is expected to benefit by taking the teenager’s place in the Champions League squad under UEFA’s injury-replacement rules.
The setback comes alongside further disruption, with Hugo Ekitike suspended after the Southampton tie. With Crystal Palace up next at Selhurst Park on Saturday, Liverpool face a tougher road ahead — and their centre-back depth has become a major concern
