Overview
- The 18-year-old tore his ACL on debut in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton and was stretchered off after an awkward landing late in the match.
- Arne Slot said scans confirmed the injury and set a timeline of roughly a year out, with surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation to follow.
- Liverpool are down to three recognised senior centre-backs in Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez.
- Slot said Liverpool intend to add Federico Chiesa to their Champions League list under UEFA’s injury-replacement provision.
- Leoni joined from Parma for about £26m this summer, and the setback intensifies the impact of a deadline‑day move for Marc Guehi that collapsed.