Liverpool have been handed a fresh injury blow, with Giovanni Leoni’s recovery from a serious knee problem taking longer than planned, according to manager Andoni Iraola. The news will disappoint supporters who had been hoping to see the young defender back in the squad sooner rather than later.
The centre-back had been expected to return to team training during the last international break. That target has now slipped, and the club are instead looking at the next break in the calendar as the new point for his return to group sessions. It is a significant delay for a player who has already spent a long spell on the sidelines.
Iraola explained that Leoni’s injury was more complicated than a torn ACL alone. The additional damage in the knee means the rehabilitation process cannot be rushed, and the medical staff have to move through each stage with extra caution. The manager made clear that the club would rather be patient than risk a relapse.
Leoni suffered the injury on his Anfield debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, a cruel way for his Liverpool career to begin. He was initially expected to be out for around a year, and although his progress had been viewed positively, this update shows that the road back is not always smooth.
The setback also adds to a growing list of defensive concerns. Conor Bradley is still recovering from his own knee surgery, and Liverpool will be keen to avoid any further complications in the back line as the season gathers pace. Having Leoni available would give Iraola another option, but the club are not prepared to gamble.
For now, Liverpool’s focus is on making sure the 19-year-old is fully fit before he returns to competitive action. That may mean a longer wait for a player seen as an important part of the squad’s future, but the club believe it is the right approach to protect his long-term development.
