Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton brought mixed emotions. The Reds triumphed 2-1 thanks to goals from Isak and Ekitike, but 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni’s debut ended in distress. With just nine minutes left, the young defender landed awkwardly after a challenge on the touchline, forcing him off the field.
Manager Arne Slot addressed the incident afterward, confirming that Leoni’s situation remains uncertain. “For him, it didn’t feel good immediately, but this is something now we have to assess,” Slot explained. He emphasized that such injuries can’t be judged on the spot, suggesting the medical team will likely perform an MRI to understand the severity.
The concern deepened when Slot recalled Ruben van Bommel’s recent case at PSV, where tears on the pitch foreshadowed a serious injury. “Normally the emotions of a player tell you a lot,” Slot remarked, fueling speculation that Leoni’s issue may be more significant than first feared.
For Liverpool supporters, the question now hangs heavy: is this just a painful but short-term obstacle for a rising star, or could it become the kind of long-term blow that alters his career path before it even truly begins?