Leoni injury leaves Liverpool waiting anxiously
Promising debut cut short
Giovanni Leoni’s Liverpool career began with promise but ended in anguish on the same night. The 18-year-old defender, making his debut, was stretchered off against Southampton after a painful incident on the touchline that forced him to leave the field in visible distress.
Leoni appeared to catch his ankle in the turf, twisting his knee awkwardly. Medical staff immediately focused on his left knee, with the teenager showing clear signs of discomfort. The image of him being carried away was one to silence a stadium that had been buoyed by his assured start.
Concerns over potential ACL damage
Speculation has already surfaced over the severity of the injury. A football physio on X, posting under the name @physioscout, outlined the possible scenarios. “There is suspicion of an ACL injury due to the knee collapsing in and the pivoting nature,” they explained.
Giovanni Leoni had to come off with a knee injury in the second half of the Liverpool vs. Southampton clash.
Extremely limited video makes this harder to judge, but I'd be worried that his knee falls into a valgus position in this screenshot.
Non-contact nature, knee… pic.twitter.com/1QACs7CJ0T
— Physio Scout | Football Injury Analysis (@physioscout) September 23, 2025
The physio added: “There is hope that it can just be a patella or kneecap dislocation that would result in a 3-6 week recovery (best case), or surgery would delay that to a 3+ month recovery.”
Other possibilities include meniscus damage, which could sideline the youngster for three to four months, or, in a more positive scenario, a bone bruise that would only require a week’s absence. Liverpool will rely on scans to provide clarity, but the nervous wait has already begun.
Slot reflects on player emotions
After the 2-1 win, Arne Slot admitted he was concerned about the teenager’s condition. “Of course he’s down. He’s down because for him, it didn’t feel good immediately,” Slot said. “But this is something we now have to assess.
“And normally, these things don’t happen in five to 10 minutes. You have to wait for tomorrow to see how he comes in, and then maybe do an MRI scan to know more about how serious it is.
“But normally, the emotions of a player tell you a lot. I saw during the weekend a player in the Dutch Eredivisie who went out completely in tears, Ruben van Bommel, by the way, of PSV. And the day later, it proved to be that he was right, but let’s hope for the best.”
Implications for Liverpool defence
For Liverpool, the potential loss of Leoni is another unwelcome concern in a demanding season. At 18, his emergence had offered fresh energy to the squad’s defensive options, but the setback could force changes to plans in the months ahead.
If the worst fears are confirmed, Leoni faces a long road to recovery. Should it prove less severe, Liverpool will still tread carefully with his rehabilitation, mindful of both his youth and potential. For now, the club and supporters wait on the scans that will shape the next chapter of his fledgling Anfield career.
