Liverpool’s new defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a troubling injury during his debut, and manager Arne Slot gave an update after the match. The 18-year-old was forced off after 81 minutes in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup. Slot said Leoni will now undergo further assessment to see how serious the damage is.
Arne Slot : Injury Felt Early, Emotions Visible
Slot said that right after the incident, Leoni looked shaken. “Of course, he is down because … it didn’t feel good immediately,” the coach admitted. He added that these kinds of injuries don’t always reveal themselves in the moment, so the full picture must wait.
He also compared to a recent case in the Dutch league where a player’s reaction hinted at serious damage, and cautioned against jumping to conclusions too fast.
Next Steps: Scans and Waiting
Liverpool plans more tests, likely an MRI, to find out the extent of the injury. Slot said they need to see how Leoni is when he arrives the next day, how he moves, and what the scan shows.
From there, they will know more about how long he could be out. Slot stressed that the player’s reaction, physically and emotionally, gives clues, but medical proof is needed before judgments.
Slot : Big Loss if Leoni is Sidelined
Leoni had just arrived from Parma for around €26 million, expected to add defensive depth. If his injury is serious, Liverpool could lose a key defensive option for months. That would strain slots in defense and force Slot to rely more on existing defenders or even reopen transfer talks for centre-backs.
Author’s Insight
Slot’s measured reaction seems wise. Yes, he hopes for the best, but he also knows that patience matters now. If Leoni’s injury is serious, reacting too fast could risk recovery. For Liverpool, it’s a blow—not just emotionally, but practically.
They bought a talent to bolster defence. Now they might have to endure without him. The next 48 hours will be crucial: how the scans read, how Leoni recovers, and whether Liverpool’s plans change. If Leoni can bounce back, this might be a tough bump in his career. If not, the club must adapt fast.
As featured on Walkon.com
