Liverpool: Giovanni Leoni breaks silence on knee injury and reveals new target amid surgery fears | OneFootball

The promising central defender saw his Liverpool debut cruelly cut short because of injury on Tuesday night

Giovanni Leoni has thanked Liverpool fans for their show of support as he waits to discover the extent of his knee injury.

The summer signing from Parma was handed his Liverpool debut on Tuesday night, starting alongside Joe Gomez in the Carabao Cup third round win over Championship side Southampton.

Liverpool are yet to comment on the injury, but it has been reported that Leoni has torn his ACL, meaning he will likely require surgery and a recovery period of at least six months.

If this is the case then the Italian will not be available for selection until March, 2026 in the best-case scenario.

Nevertheless, the teenager is aiming for a swift return as he targets playing at Anfield following his first taste of the “magical stadium” since his summer move from Parma.

In a post on his Instagram account, Leoni said: “I want to sincerely thank every single person who has shown me support in this difficult moment.

“It wasn’t the debut I had always dreamed of, but I will give everything to be back playing in this magical stadium as soon as possible.

“Thank you so much!”

Liverpool are likely to provide an update on Leoni’s injury shortly and head coach Arne Slot will address the setback when he faces the media later in the week.

As a result, Leoni is set to join Hugo Ekitike as the two senior Liverpool players to miss this weekend’s Premier League clash away at Crystal Palace.

The Frenchman is to serve a one-game suspension after being sent-off for two bookable offences moments after scoring the winner against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.