Liverpool’s summer signing Giovanni Leoni is expected to be sidelined for several months after sustaining a suspected anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on his first appearance for the club.
The 18-year-old defender featured for 81 minutes in Tuesday’s 2-1 Carabao Cup third-round win over Southampton before leaving the pitch with a knee problem.
Leoni, who arrived at Anfield in August from Parma in a deal worth £26 million plus potential add-ons, has since undergone scans on his left knee.
Early indications suggest the centre-back has suffered significant ACL damage, an issue likely to keep him out for the majority, if not all, of the current season.
“He is down because, for him, it didn’t feel good immediately. Normally the emotions of a player tell you a lot,” Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said following the win.
The setback reduces Slot’s defensive options to just three established centre-backs: captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.
UEFA regulations would allow Liverpool to replace Leoni in their Champions League squad.
Reports suggest forward Federico Chiesa is under consideration for the vacant spot.
Despite the injury setback, Liverpool have started their Premier League title defence in perfect fashion, winning all five of their opening fixtures.
