Giovanni Leoni's recovery timeline hasn't gone to plan, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has admitted, following the Reds' emphatic 6-3 away win at LASK in the Champions League
Giovanni Leoni is yet to play for Liverpool this season as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury
Giovanni Leoni is yet to play for Liverpool this season as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury(Image: Getty)
Andoni Iraola has admitted that Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni's recovery has not gone to plan in a worrying update on the Italian youth international's availability.
The 19-year-old joined the Reds last year, but his debut campaign at Anfield was cut short by a devastating ACL injury in the EFL Cup against Southampton. Leoni hasn't been seen on the pitch since but did return to preseason training to step up his recovery.
However, nine games into the 2026/27 campaign, Leoni has yet to get his first minutes of the campaign. Following the Reds' 6-3 Champions League away win at LASK, manager Iraola has admitted that the defender's recovery timeline hasn't gone to plan.
"It is taking more time than we wanted with Gio. The plan was to train with the team in the international break, but it will probably be in the next one. We have probably lost a month in the process," Iraola said.
"I wasn’t here when he picked up the injury, but I talked to the medical team, and it was not just an ACL; it was a bad injury.
"A lot of things around the knee were involved. We have to be very careful with him, and we want to make sure that when he comes back into the team, he stays there. It is a little bit later than what we expected."
Leoni decided to stay put in Merseyside for his recovery, which has now taken over a year. The $34.47 million defender would have been forgiven for spending more time back in his home in Italy.
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)
“I stayed here since the first day until now, because I wanted to do the rehab with the physios here,” he told Player Portraits. “Even for my English, it was the best thing to do in that period.
“So I decided to stay with my teammates in Liverpool for practice, everything.”
Despite the devastating setback, Leoni has remained focused on the positives and is looking forward to his eventual return to action.
“It was my first game at Anfield, with my fans, my team-mates. I played a good game and then I had that injury,” Leoni continued.
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)
“Looking back, I can just say I’m glad to have made my debut in front of my fans.
“When I had that injury, I was with Conor, and I said to him, ‘It’s ACL, 100 percent,’ then the doctor came, and I said the same to him.
“I could feel the pain and even the sound of the injury. But after that, I received a lot of messages, a lot of support from the fans. I can only say thank you to everyone.”