Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni is unlikely to play any ‘meaningful’ role this season after suffering an anterior cruiciate ligament injury that will sideline him for up to nine months.

The 18-year-old defender started his first game for the club against Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

A £26million summer arrival from Parma, the Italian turned in a measured and mature display at the back, impressing alongside Joe Gomez with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate left out of the starting XI.

But his game was brought to an end after 78 minutes. With the score locked at 1-1, Leoni fell awkwardly after challenging for the ball near the touchline in his own half.

Leoni was unable to get up and get back into position, remaining on the ground and clearly in some pain.

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