Giovanni Leoni has suffered a suspected torn anterior cruciate ligament and can wrestle to function once more this season in a heartbreaking damage blow for .
The 18-year-old Italian defender made his Reds debut of their on Tuesday, vastly impressing within the course of earlier than hitting the deck in sickening vogue with 10 minutes to play.
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Leoni instantly seemed in appreciable ache, additionally showing to hit head on the arduous floor simply off the pitch, and was stretchered off after receiving remedy.
Supervisor mentioned he , who joined Liverpool for £26m from Parma within the switch window. The Dutchman mentioned post-match: “He’s down as a result of, for him, it didn’t really feel good instantly. Usually, the feelings of a participant inform you numerous.”
Giovanni Leoni was stretchered off in opposition to Southampton (Getty Photographs)
These fears have now been realised with Leoni’s camp suspecting he suffered the worst-case situation, tearing his ACL after moving into for a sort out on the proper touchline.
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He might be sidelined for a number of months with the earliest return probably coming simply earlier than the tip of the season.
Whereas not explicitly confirming the damage, Leoni took to Instagram to precise his gratitude to people who have come out to help him.
“I need to sincerely thank each single one that has proven me help on this tough second,” {the teenager} wrote.
“It wasn’t the debut I had all the time dreamed of, however I’ll give all the things to be again taking part in on this magical stadium as quickly as doable. Thanks a lot!”
It leaves Liverpool with simply three senior centre-backs after broke down when Crystal Palace the England worldwide.
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Leoni’s signing got here after however now , Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez are the one three who can be found to Slot.
Leoni’s damage has, nonetheless, supplied a Champions League lifeline to ahead , who was not noted of the European squad by Slot resulting from Uefa rules on non-homegrown gamers.
Liverpool return to motion in opposition to Palace on Saturday earlier than making the journey to Galatasaray the next Tuesday.