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Giovanni Leoni suffered the injury 81 minutes into his debut Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni is out for a year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, manager Arne Slot says. The 18-year-old sustained the injury on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday. Leoni joined the Reds in August from Parma for a fee of £26m plus add-ons. "He is not in a good place because he tore his ACL which means he will be out for a year, " said Slot. "Being so young and coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game, it's very hard to take the positives. "There is never a positive side but you try to look at that, and that is he is still so young and he has so many years still go to after he recovers from a terrible injury. " What is an ACL injury and why is it so serious? The injury leaves Slot with just three recognised centre-backs in Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez. Liverpool have added forward Federico Chiesa to their Champions League squad in place of Leoni. Slot's side have won all five Premier League matches so far this season in defence of their title. They face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Latest Liverpool news, analysis and fan views Ask about Liverpool - what do you want to know? Sophie Brown, BBC Sport journalist Giovanni Leoni had to be patient before being given a chance against Southampton but looked every bit the exciting prospect that Liverpool fans were promised, before his terrible injury cut his debut short. He only made his senior debut in 2023, playing in the Italian third tier for Padova as a 16-year-old, but just two years later he has joined the Premier League champions. Liverpool were looking for reinforcements in central defence after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and Leoni came in to provide extra cover in an area where the Reds were potentially light. With Virgil van Dijk now 34, Liverpool need to have an eye on the future. Leoni, 18, certainly ticks that box but also looked ready for the now, despite only establishing himself in Parma's starting line-up in the second half of last season. The opportunity to develop his game with the Premier League champions and learn from Van Dijk, who he has previously called his inspiration, helped clinch the move. His injury is a cruel blow but the Reds will hope the £26m signing can return next year and go about fulfilling his immense potential. Ryder Cup: Countdown to opening foursomes in USA v Europe 'The Trump effect' and four other factors that may decide the Ryder Cup Spain legend Busquets to retire at end of MLS season A global hunt to uncover a virus deadlier than Covid-19 What led to the invention of the correction fluid? Fabulous new queens slay for the crown Could we have evidence of life on Mars? 'The Trump effect' and four other factors that may decide the Ryder Cup Dahl, Torres and 'Keighley Queens' - the making of Kildunne 'There's a great unity' - Mc Ilroy says Team Europe are ready to win. Video'There's a great unity' - Mc Ilroy says Team Europe are ready to win Why NFL Dublin game was 100 years in the making The Wayne Rooney Show. Audio The Wayne Rooney Show The battles England need to win in World Cup final Martin feels heat again, but are Rangers players letting him down? 'Every idea is a good idea' - how would 64-team World Cup look? 'A cool scene' - but will Bethpage's first tee intimidate Europe? From Bayern despair to Liverpool brilliance - the rise of Gravenberch Chasing greatness through grief - England's warrior queen Lamine Yamal - the eve of a new football era 'Bird became cricket legend without scoring a run for England' Who are the players in England's Ashes squad? How will each side fare in Prem Rugby? Club-by-club preview 'I flew 5, 500 miles and paid £900 for a Premier League ticket but was turned away' Is Verstappen back in the title race? - F1 Q&A Has modern football adopted the Allardyce playbook? We asked him Forty years on, how Jacklin revitalised Ryder Cup Horner, the £52m pay-off, and what next for ex-Red Bull boss? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.