Overview

• Romano reported the 18-year-old centre-back sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament and could face months out, potentially threatening his season.
• Leoni was stretchered off late in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton after landing awkwardly near the touchline on his Liverpool debut.
• Head coach Arne Slot said the player felt it was serious on the pitch and that the club would assess him further, possibly with an MRI scan.
• A football physio’s review of limited footage had flagged an ACL risk based on the knee’s valgus collapse and pivot, while noting alternative, shorter-term scenarios.
• UEFA regulations allow a one-time outfield replacement in the Champions League squad for injuries of at least 60 days, with Federico Chiesa viewed as a candidate, and Leoni’s absence would leave Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez as the only senior centre-backs.