Slot gives a pessimistic statement about Giovanni Leoni's injury

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·24 September 2025

Slot gives a pessimistic statement about Giovanni Leoni's injury

The Dutch coach is sad about his young player's injury.

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What was meant to be a night of celebration for young Italian defender Giovanni Leoni swiftly turned into a nightmare on his Liverpool debut. Thrown into the League Cup clash against Southampton, the 18-year-old's first match—which also saw Alexander Isak score his maiden goal for the club—was brutally cut short by a severe injury, casting a dark shadow over the occasion and prompting immediate concern from head coach Arne Slot.

He immediately felt unwell, so his spirits were low. But you can’t judge these things in five or ten minutes—you need to wait until tomorrow, see how he’s feeling, and possibly get an MRI to learn more.I’ve seen a player in the Eredivisie leave the pitch in tears, and it turned out to be a genuinely serious injury. I hope this time things turn out better.

The cruel twist of fate arrived as Leoni leaped for a challenge near the touchline, landing awkwardly and collapsing to the turf in visible agony. The distressing scene culminated with the teenager being stretchered off the pitch, replaced by Milos Kerkez, unable to continue. While Coach Slot insisted on a full battery of medical tests, he somberly conceded that the initial outlook appears deeply worrying.