Liverpool have received a significant boost regarding the long-term injury suffered by young defender Giovanni Leoni, with the player himself declaring the most challenging phase of his rehabilitation is now complete.
The Devastating Debut Setback
Giovanni Leoni's promising start to life at Anfield was cruelly cut short during his full debut for the club. The 19-year-old Italian, who joined from Parma in a £26 million deal last summer, impressed for 81 minutes in a Carabao Cup tie against Southampton in September before disaster struck.
Landing awkwardly, the teenager suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. He was visibly distressed as he was substituted for Milos Kerkez and taken straight down the tunnel, requiring surgery the following month to begin the long road to recovery.
Focus on the Mind and Body
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport’s Sport Week, Leoni opened up about his progress and mindset. "Now the hardest part is over," he stated. The initial prognosis suggested a potential return around September 2026, but the player is fully focused on his daily regimen.
"I’m doing rehab, swimming, and the gym," Leoni explained. "For a footballer, an injury like this can be the most difficult moment in their career, but now I just want to train my mind to come back stronger than before. I think that’s the key aspect: the mind can do most of the work."
He also recalled the traumatic moment of the injury, revealing he knew its severity instantly. "I immediately realised it was that kind of injury," Leoni said. "It was a great, intense pain, the strongest I’ve ever felt."
Impact on Liverpool's Defensive Plans
The loss of Leoni, coupled with more recent fitness issues, has tested Liverpool's defensive depth this season. Manager Arne Slot highlighted the impact of the ACL injury back in December, even as he played down January transfer speculation for a new centre-back.
"First of all for himself but the injury of Giovanni Leoni is, of course, it has quite a lot of impact," Slot said. "If you have four centre backs for the season... then you have an ACL injury, that is not very helpful. It is tough."
Despite the lengthy absence, Leoni is adopting a philosophical approach to his setback, viewing it as a test of character. "I believe that life has certain things in store for me, and fate brought me to this," he reflected. "I tell myself: It must have happened to make me stronger."
