Giovanni Leoni is expected to make a return to training with Liverpool later this month, with the young defender having spent more than a year out with an ACL injury
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 14: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on July 14, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Giovanni Leoni is closing in on a return for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Giovanni Leoni is on course to make his return to training with Liverpool later this month, with the Reds’ plans for the young defender set to continue after more than a year out injured.
Leoni has been absent since making his debut in September 2025, having undergone surgery after suffering an ACL injury against Southampton.
The 19-year-old has been in recovery since then, having traveled to the United States with the Reds in pre-season amid initial hopes he would be able to return to training during the summer. Although those ambitions didn’t come to fruition, it seems the teenager is not far off making his comeback.
According to The Athletic, Leoni is hoped to be able to make a return to full training in just over a week’s time, with the week commencing October 12 being targeted.
That is slightly later than Andoni Iraola previously indicated, with the Liverpool boss having suggested Leoni would join in with training during the international break, but it is nevertheless a major boost for both the player and his club.
Leoni is said to have chosen to undergo his rehabilitation at the Reds’ AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, rather than return home like others, as he wanted to build stronger relationships with the club’s staff.
Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton
Giovanni Leoni has been out since suffering an ACL injury on debut for Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images))
During his time out, the teenager has worked on his English and learned more about Liverpool, with his approach and attitude having been well received by those inside the club.
Liverpool will now take careful consideration on his return to action. Leoni could end up playing games for the club’s Under-21s in order to build up his match fitness, although the EFL Trophy game against Doncaster on October 7 will come too soon for him.
Time is on Leoni’s side though thanks to Jeremy Jacquet settling in well after his move from Rennes, alongside Joe Gomez’s return to fitness and Ronald Araujo making a good impression as he fills in at right-back.
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Elsewhere, Liverpool is still sweating on the fitness of Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo after the pair returned from international duty early, having picked up injuries with Sweden and the Netherlands respectively.
Isak’s issue has been described as minor, which has raised hopes that he will be able to recover in time to face Manchester City on October 11, but Gakpo’s ankle problem is more of a concern, with initial reports suggesting he could face weeks out.
Meanwhile, reports in France have claimed Hugo Ekitike is targeting a return to training next month as he steps up his recovery after rupturing his Achilles tendon, with Conor Bradley also hoped to be able to make a comeback around that time after suffering a serious knee injury back in Janaury.