Giovanni Leoni facing surgery as timeline for Liverpool star’s ACL injury emerges

Leoni was carried off at Anfield on his debut (Picture: Getty Images)

Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni is unlikely to play any ‘meaningful’ role this season after suffering an anterior cruiciate ligament injury that will sideline him for up to nine months.

The 18-year-old defender started his first game for the club against Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

A £26million summer arrival from Parma, the Italian turned in a measured and mature display at the back, impressing alongside Joe Gomez with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate left out of the starting XI.

But his game was brought to an end after 78 minutes. With the score locked at 1-1, Leoni fell awkwardly after challenging for the ball near the touchline in his own half.

Leoni was unable to get up and get back into position, remaining on the ground and clearly in some pain.

A stretcher was called for as play continued with the youngster carried down the tunnel by medical staff.

Arne Slot feared the worst when he spoke to the media after the 2-1 win with it understood the youngster has suffered an ACL injury.

Leoni was forced off in the second-half (Picture: Getty)

Stephen Smith, CEO and founder of Kitman Labs which specialises in injury welfare and performance analytics, believes Leoni is looking at between six and nine months out, expecting Liverpool to move forward with surgery as soon as possible.  

‘An ACL injury likely means Leoni will have approximately 6-9 months out of action so it’s unlikely we’ll see him back this season in a meaningful way,’ Smith told Metro.

Leoni had enjoyed a fine debut at Anfield before injury struck (Picture: Getty)

‘Liverpool’s management of the injury will likely be focused on reducing swelling and restoring the range of motion, as ACL injuries normally result in very significant swelling.

‘When that has subsided and range of motion has returned, they will move to surgery as quickly as possible so they can begin the healing and recovery process.’

Losing Leoni presents a problem at the back for Liverpool with Slot now working with just three senior centre-halves in van Dijk, Konate and Gomez.

The Premier League champions were expected to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace late in the summer transfer window only for the move to fall through at the eleventh hour.

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