Giovanni Leoni has now been sidelined for six months after undergoing ACL surgery in October, but the Liverpool defender is mooted for an early return.
Leoni was forced into surgery after tearing his ACL on his Liverpool debut against Southampton, with the 19-year-old revealing its success exactly six months ago.
Since then he has been focused on his recovery and recently shared an update working on the outdoor pitch at the AXA Training Centre.
Now able to run through exercises with the ball again, Leoni will be setting his sights on a gradual return to contact training before rejoining his team-mates.
According to Italian outlet Mondo Primavera, the teenager is now pencilled in to return to team training by the end of April.
Giovanni Leoni: ACL Recovery Timeline
Following successful surgery in October 2025, Leoni has recently transitioned to light on-pitch training. He is currently on track for a full pre-season return.
Oct: Surgery
Now: Light Training
July: Full Return
Leoni is currently 6 months into his recovery.
That would mark almost seven months after his surgery which falls into the general timeframe for a player’s recovery from an ACL injury, though this can run from anywhere between six months to a year.
Liverpool sources are yet to corroborate these claims from Italy but it is certainly not out of the question that Leoni would rejoin sessions before the campaign is up.
He is however unlikely to feature for Liverpool’s first team until pre-season, with every precaution taken due to his age and the severity of his injury.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 30, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk (L) and Ibrahima Konaté applaud the supporters after the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Arne Slot has managed without Leoni for the entire season, relying heavily on first-choice centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as Joe Gomez faces his own fitness issues while also filling in at right-back.
But there will be high hopes for the young Italian heading into next season, especially given how impressive he was on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
With Gomez expected to depart as he enters the final year of his contract and Konate yet to agree an extension to a deal which expires this summer, Liverpool are building for the future at centre-back.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Liverpool's Giovanni Leoni during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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Leoni will feature prominently in that along with upcoming £60 million signing Jeremy Jacquet, who will officially join from Rennes at the end of the season.
Liverpool also tied up deals for youngsters Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe in January, though both are considered academy players as it stands.
While it was certainly a blow for his country, Liverpool’s medical staff will be quietly pleased that Italy again failed to qualify for the World Cup as it removes any risk of Leoni being called up for the tournament.