In the concluded League Cup match, Liverpool defeated Southampton 2-1 at home. During this game, Liverpool’s summer signing Leoni made his debut for the Reds, but was forced off with an injury in the 81st minute. Leoni’s situation has raised fears that he has suffered a severe knee injury, and the young Italian center-back may be sidelined for a long time.
Leoni, who joined Liverpool from Parma for €35 million this summer, was handed his first start for the club. His first-half performance earned widespread praise, but in the 80th minute of the game, he fell heavily following a fierce collision and required immediate medical attention.
The scenes at the stadium were distressing: after a stretcher was brought onto the pitch, the young player was carried off Anfield wearing an oxygen mask. Several media outlets later reported that Leoni had suffered a torn ACL, with a recovery period potentially lasting up to nine months.
Leoni is determined to fight to return to action before the end of the 2025-26 season. Federico Chiesa, his teammate at both the Italy national team and Liverpool, has also sent his well-wishes: "I feel sorry for what happened to Leoni," the former Juventus forward said after the game. “While the exact extent of his injury is yet to be confirmed, I hope it's not too serious. He has a bright future ahead of him—he's not only an excellent player but also a great young man.”
"Even though he's only 18, I noticed last year in Serie A the calmness he showed in possession and his outstanding defensive awareness—that unique mindset of a traditional Italian defender. I pray his injury turns out to be nothing serious."
It is understood that the nine-month injury layoff will also rule him out of representing Italy at next year's World Cup.
