The newest experiences point out that Giovanni Leoni has suffered a torn cruciate ligament (ACL), which might hold him out of motion for round 9 months, however the teen’s misfortune might carry a possibility within the Champions League for compatriot Federico Chiesa.
Leoni picked up an unlucky, severe damage throughout his first begin for Liverpool throughout their 2-1 win over Southampton within the EFL Cup on Tuesday night time.
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Regardless of impressing along with his dominant defensive show, Leoni within the eightieth minute, bought his legs in a tangle, fell awkwardly and was then stretchered off in entrance of the Anfield crowd.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool is stretchered off having suffered an damage in the course of the Carabao Cup Third Spherical match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on September 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Picture by Jan Kruger/Getty Photos)
In line with current updates from and others, . As per , that is prone to hold him out of motion for round 9 months.
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May Chiesa change Leoni in Liverpool’s Champions League squad?
Additionally within the beginning line-up for Liverpool on Tuesday night time was former Juventus ahead Chiesa, who has been given a handful of alternatives off the bench within the Premier League firstly of the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool in the course of the Carabao Cup Third Spherical match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on September 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Picture by Jan Kruger/Getty Photos)
After a sluggish first yr on Merseyside, throughout which he performed for simply 466 minutes throughout all competitions, Chiesa has begun to point out encouraging indicators along with his alternatives this time period, and has now supplied a objective and two assists from 137 minutes of motion throughout all competitions.
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Regardless of his promising begin, Chiesa was left off Arne Slot’s Champions League squad record for the primary half of the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool is seen in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Section MD8 match between PSV Eindhoven and Liverpool FC at PSV Stadion on January 29, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Picture by Lars Baron/Getty Photos)
The damage to Leoni, nevertheless, might probably imply that there’s nonetheless an opportunity for Chiesa to function within the Champions League league part.
Below UEFA guidelines, groups are capable of change a participant who’s injured for a interval of 60 days or extra, which is predicted to be the case for Leoni. Which means that there’s a risk that Chiesa, one of many few senior Liverpool gamers who weren’t included within the authentic squad, known as in to interchange Leoni.
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What Chiesa mentioned about injured Leoni
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool controls the ball while underneath stress from Leo Scienza of Southampton in the course of the Carabao Cup Third Spherical match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on September 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Picture by Jan Kruger/Getty Photos)
Chiesa despatched his greatest needs to his Liverpool teammate, Leoni, after full-time of Tuesday night time’s 2-1 win over Southampton.
“I’m sorry for Giovanni Leoni for what has occurred to him,” Chiesa mentioned. “We don’t know but what is going to occur to him however I hope it’s nothing unhealthy as a result of he has a vivid future forward, he’s a improbable man and an important footballer. He’s simply 18, however I hope it’s nothing unhealthy, however we’ll see.
“I noticed him final yr in Serie A and he already confirmed calmness on the ball and an important defensive thoughts, an Italian defensive thoughts just like the outdated defenders again within the day. I hope it’s nothing.”