Giovanni Leoni may have spent the last few months recovering from a torn ACL, but the Liverpool defender has been working heavily on his physique to bulk for next season
14:22, 01 May 2026Updated 14:27, 01 May 2026
Giovanni Leoni has been working hard in the gym while recovering from a torn ACL
Giovanni Leoni has been working hard in the gym while recovering from a torn ACL(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)
Liverpool fans are excited to welcome back young defender Giovanni Leoni next season after his cruel debut injury, and the Italian has been working on his physique while recovering from a torn ACL.
The 19-year-old tore the ACL in his left knee when making his Liverpool debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last September. It was a crucial blow for head coach Arne Slot, who missed out on signing Marc Guehi on deadline day and watched him join Manchester City in January.
Leoni is already a colossus at 6-foot-5, but the Italian has been working out in the gym during his rehabilitation and looks like a "beast," according to Slot. After following his progress on social media, Liverpool fans are excited.
READ MORE: Every word Arne Slot said on Mohamed Salah, Alisson, injury news and Alexander Isak formREAD MORE: Arne Slot says the quiet part out loud about Alexander Isak's Liverpool struggles
Liverpool has suffered several injuries this season, but Leoni was the first, cruel season-ender. Star forward Hugo Ekitike has also been ruled out for the season, but Slot brought up Leoni's progress when asked for an injury update.
"If you look at Giovanni Leoni, I don’t know if you once in a while see some Instagram posts of the club, but this guy has become a beast!" Slot said recently.
Leoni's progress is clear to see, and fans are anticipating his return this summer in the preseason. "He looks like Superman," one fan wrote when responding to a Reddit thread.
Leoni has posted several updates on Instagram about his recovery
Leoni has posted several updates on Instagram about his recovery(Image: @ giovannileonii / IG)
Leoni has been working on his strength to bulk up before next season
Leoni has been working on his strength to bulk up before next season(Image: @ giovannileonii / IG)
"He's genuinely a tank. Pretty rare for footballers to have that kind of physique," another added. "He’s a f------ unit," a third wrote.
A typical ACL recovery for a soccer player takes nine to 12 months, and Leoni has already been working on the outdoor field at Liverpool's training ground since March. However, he will not return to team training this season; instead, he will be rested before joining preseason for 2026-27.
Leoni vowed to come back stronger after suffering his injury, and the Italian certainly looks to be fulfilling that promise. "It had never happened to me [before] but it was a strange feeling, I thought: 'That’s it, period,'" Leoni said to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Leoni tore the ACL in his left knee against Southampton last year
Leoni tore the ACL in his left knee against Southampton last year(Image: Getty Images)
"A great, strong pain, the strongest pain I have felt in life… I believe that life reserves certain things and destiny has led me to this. To myself, I say: 'It must have happened to make me stronger.'
"I can’t look at the long term, I only think about training my mind. I am determined to look at the day itself, to do what makes me feel good and take care of the recovery. Setting long-term goals means having new problems, in case of slow-downs [in recovery].
"Now the hardest part is over. I’m doing rehab, I’m in the swimming pool, the gym. For a footballer, an injury like this can be the most difficult moment of his career but now I just want to train my head to come back stronger than before.
Article continues below
"I think that’s the key thing: the head can do most of the work."