Overview

• The 18-year-old summer signing from Parma, reported at £26m, was stretchered off in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton after an awkward landing.
• His camp suspects an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with reporting indicating a layoff of several months and a possible return only late in the season.
• Manager Arne Slot said he feared the worst after the match, and Leoni thanked supporters on Instagram and pledged to work toward a comeback.
• The injury leaves Liverpool with three recognised senior centre-backs — Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez — following Jarell Quansah’s sale.
• A deadline-day move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi fell through, prompting calls to sign cover in January, and Federico Chiesa may benefit from Uefa squad implications.