Giovanni Leoni's Liverpool comeback delayed by another month

Liverpool centre-back Giovanni Leoni will have to wait a little longer before pulling on the red shirt again. Head coach Andoni Iraola has explained that the Italian's return to full team training has been postponed by roughly four weeks because the knee injury he picked up on his debut turned out to be more complex than originally diagnosed.

• Leoni's return is delayed from the recent international break to the next one, starting on 9 November.
• The injury did not only affect the anterior cruciate ligament: there was additional damage around the knee.
• Liverpool want to be extra cautious with a 19-year-old still in the middle of his rehabilitation.
• Leoni was injured 13 months ago, on his official debut, against Southampton.
• Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are also doubts for the trip to Brentford.

Why Leoni's Liverpool return is being delayed

The initial plan was for the Italian centre-back to rejoin first-team training during the most recent international break. However, Liverpool's medical staff have decided not to rush the timeline after assessing the true extent of the injury Leoni has been dealing with for over a year.

With Gio, the plan was to train with the team in this past international break. It is probably now going to be the next one, so we have lost one month in the process.

A knee injury worse than just an ACL tear

Leoni, signed from Parma for £26m in 2025, tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Southampton 13 months ago. What initially looked like a serious but common injury in modern football actually involved more significant damage to the joint.

Iraola was not in the Liverpool dugout when the injury occurred, but he has gathered all the information from the medical department. According to his explanation, Leoni's knee suffered damage to several structures beyond the ACL, which makes the recovery process far more delicate.

Liverpool's cautious approach with a 19-year-old defender

The Anfield club does not want to take any unnecessary risks with such a young player. The priority is for Leoni to return in full condition and not suffer a setback shortly after rejoining the squad. That is why the coaching staff have accepted the one-month delay, even though they do not consider it a step backwards in his recovery.

It is not a setback but a delay, if you want. We want to make sure once he comes to the team he stays there in a good place. The plan now is he starts in the next break. It is not that far off, but a little bit later than we expected.

Which matches Leoni will miss before returning

Under the new schedule, the Italian centre-back will not be available for any of Liverpool's upcoming fixtures before the November break. The aim is for him to complete a specific readaptation programme and arrive with confidence when collective training resumes.

More injury doubts for Liverpool ahead of Brentford trip

Liverpool's treatment room does not empty with Leoni's case. Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are major doubts for Saturday's Premier League trip to Brentford. All three missed the team's last two matches with fitness issues picked up during the international break.

The mounting injuries force Iraola to reshape his starting eleven during a demanding stretch of the calendar. Liverpool need to keep collecting points to stay in the race for the top spots in the table, and any absence in the spine of the team is particularly noticeable.

Frequently asked questions about Leoni's injury