Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has provided a positive injury update on Giovanni Leoni, confirming the defender is scheduled to resume full training during the delayed first international break of the season.
It has been almost a year on the sidelines for Leoni, who signed from Serie A side Parma last summer in a deal worth around £26million. The Italian central defender made his Liverpool debut in a Carabao Cup third round tie against Southampton on September 23, 2025, and impressed before landing awkwardly following a challenge near the touchline just over 10 minutes from time.
Leoni required treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and it was later confirmed he had suffered an ACL tear. In his absence, the former Reds head coach was forced to use Wataru Endo as an emergency centre-back last season as cover for Ibrahima Konate and captain Virgil van Dijk.
Five-man update ahead of Ipswich trip
Liverpool are next in action on Friday night, facing newly-promoted Ipswich at Portman Road as they seek to claim a first win of the season after 2-2 draws with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference on Thursday, Iraola has confirmed none of his injured players will be available for the trip, but delivered fresh timescales on Joe Gomez, Federico Chiesa, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike.
“The closest one is Joe,” Iraola told reporters. “Joe will probably start training with us next week and it has gone normally, the recovery, from a muscle injury, more or less we were expecting the time on this.
Recovery timelines revealed
“I hope we can have him before the break, let’s say.
“I think the next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni. I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group.
“I think even Fede should be around those dates and probably Conor, and especially Hugo, will go later, yes.”
