Liverpool Injury Blow: Star Out For A Year! Chiesa Joins Squad!

Liverpool Football Club has been hit with devastating news as young defender Giovanni Leoni faces a year on the sidelines due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The injury occurred during Leoni's debut match in the Carabao Cup victory against Southampton, a game that initially showcased his promise after a £26 million move from Parma.

Manager Arne Slot confirmed the unfortunate news, stating, "He's not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL, which means that he will be out for around a year." Slot acknowledged the difficulty of the situation for the young player, who had just arrived in a new country and was performing well in his first game.

The injury leaves Liverpool somewhat short at centre-back, with Slot now primarily relying on Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez. The club had previously targeted Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for extra cover, but a deal failed to materialize before the transfer deadline.

Chiesa Boost for Champions League Campaign

Amidst the injury setback, there is some positive news for Liverpool fans. Italian forward Federico Chiesa has been added to Liverpool's Champions League squad. UEFA approved the request following Leoni's injury, allowing Chiesa to be included in 'List A' under regulations permitting changes due to long-term absences. Chiesa is now eligible for the upcoming Champions League match against Galatasaray.

Slot's Assessment of the Season So Far

Despite the injury and the near miss with the Guehi transfer, Liverpool has enjoyed a strong start to the Premier League season, winning their first five games. Slot acknowledged that the team has perhaps had some luck along the way, particularly in close matches against tough opponents like Newcastle and Arsenal. "If you look at the games, they were most of them quite close. So, we might have been a bit lucky as well to get the maximum points," he said.

The focus now shifts to maintaining that momentum, integrating Chiesa into the squad, and supporting Leoni through his recovery.