The League Cup match between Liverpool and Southampton finished in a close 2-1 victory, giving manager Arne Slot a unique opportunity to make numerous changes to his starting lineup. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Merseysiders, as Giovanni Leoni sustained a sore-looking injury in the 81st minute while playing his first game for the team. A post-match analysis has been provided by an injury specialist.
Shea Charles of Southampton gave Will Still’s Championship team a glimmer of hope with an equaliser in the 76th minute, while Alexander Isak scored his first goal for the team. Hugo Ekitike, who took Isak’s place at halftime, scored the game-winning goal just under ten minutes later. He was sent off for removing his shirt.
Among the handful of unfamiliar faces that started Liverpool’s 2-1 triumph over Southampton on Tuesday night was Leoni, who paid £26 million to join from Italian club Parma in the summer. But there are worries that he might miss a few more games after the video of his altercation surfaced after the game. Given that the Reds want to compete on all fronts, that might be harmful.
View the Liverpool 2-1 Southampton highlights below:
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Leoni’s Injury vs Southampton Analysed By Injury Expert
The 2006-born centre-back had a strong start to his career at Anfield, recording six clearances, three interceptions, and one tackle as Saints applied pressure. He was replaced by Milos Kerkez with nine minutes remaining in regulation time. Also at ease with the ball, the 18-year-old displayed composure.
Journalist Adam Summerton, who is familiar with the boy from his work as a commentator on Italian football for TNT Sports, gave him such high praise. “Leoni was just referred to as ‘The Italian Alan Hansen’. Despite his extremely early stage, he commented, “I’m happy to see him making a good first impression. He’s very talented.”
In order to ascertain how long Leoni, who was born and reared in Rome, could be out, an injury study was also posted on social media. They reported about the lanky Italian: “During the second half of Liverpool vs. Southampton, Giovanni Leoni had to leave the game due to a knee injury. It’s difficult to assess because of the extremely little video, but I’d be concerned that his knee in this screenshot is in a valgus posture.
Stats for Giovanni Leoni vs Southampton
Minutes
81
Feelings
102
enters the last third.
4.
Passes with accuracy (%)
88 out of 91 (97%)
Clearances
6.
Interceptions
3.
Winning aerial duels (%)
3/3 (100%)
They went on to say, “Non-contact nature, knee collapsing in, and pivoting nature make me suspicious of an ACL injury,” however a clearer replay of the incident was not shown during the live broadcast, making it more difficult to make the diagnosis.
“Potential Time of Recovery:
If ACL: more than nine months
Depending on the meniscus, 3–4 months
If there is bone or bruise:
The former Padova and Sampdoria defender, who has seven caps for Italy’s U19 team, was put through the Lachmann’s test by on-site physiotherapists, which could be terrible news for Liverpool supporters. Leoni appeared to have been prepared by the physiotherapists to do a Lachmann’s test, which checks for an ACL rupture. To ascertain the extent of the injuries, scans will be required,” they said.
It’s unclear how long Leoni, who made 17 appearances in Serie A last season, will be officially sidelined. In the centre of defence, Slot will continue to rely on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, while Joe Gomez will continue to hold his position at the top of the hierarchy.
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