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1h ago

Liverpool Confirm Year-Long ACL Layoff for Leoni as Chiesa Added to UCL Squad

Arne Slot set the timeline, intensifying scrutiny of centre-back depth after the club was left with three senior options.

Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Third Round - Liverpool v Southampton - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - September 23, 2025 Liverpool's Giovanni Leoni reacts as he is stretchered off after sustaining an injury as manager Arne Slot looks on REUTERS/Phil Noble
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Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Third Round - Liverpool v Southampton - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - September 23, 2025 Liverpool's Giovanni Leoni in action REUTERS/Phil Noble
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Overview

  • The 18-year-old tore his ACL on debut in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton and was stretchered off after 81 minutes.
  • Liverpool invoked UEFA's new long-term injury rule to register Federico Chiesa in their Champions League list in Leoni's place.
  • Leoni joined from Parma in August for about £26m and had impressed before the injury.
  • His absence leaves Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez as the recognized senior centre-backs.
  • Slot declined to revisit questions on a Marc Guehi bid, with coverage noting defensive reinforcements may be reassessed in January.