Giovanni Leoni has confirmed he has undergone surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained on his Liverpool debut last month. The 18-year-old centre-back tore his ACL during the Carabao Cup third-round tie against Southampton at Anfield, when he was stretchered off in the 81st minute following an awkward challenge.
The Italian defender, who joined the Reds from Parma in a £26million deal in August, has now sent a message of thanks to supporters. In an Instagram story, Leoni wrote: "Surgery done. Thanks everyone for the messages. I'll be back soon," alongside a red heart and folded hands emoji.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot had previously confirmed that Leoni could be out for around 12 months. Speaking before the Premier League match at Crystal Palace on Friday, Slot said: "He is not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL and it means he will be out for a year. Being so young and coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game... it's very hard to take the positive side."
The Reds manager pointed to teammates Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as examples of players who have recovered from similar injuries. He said: "I think that last thing definitely helps and we have some examples of that with Virgil and Joe. The main and most important thing is the surgeons that are going to do the surgery, then second of all the ones that do the recovery, the rehab, with him. But then it's always nice if you can do this in a surrounding with players who have lived through this as well."
Slot also revealed that Liverpool's squad have already shown compassion towards the teenager, adding: "Our players already showed in the last two days a lot of compassion towards him and they will not stop doing that in the upcoming year." Leoni is now expected to begin a lengthy rehabilitation programme under the club's medical staff.
