Liverpool assess January centreback options after Leoni ACL surgery

Giovanni Leoni has undergone surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and is expected to miss most of the season, leaving Liverpool weighing whether to add a centreback in the January transfer window. The 18 year old, who joined the club from Parma in August, suffered the injury 81 minutes into his debut and posted on social media after the operation, "Surgery done. Thanks everyone for the messages. I'll be back soon."

Manager Arne Slot said in a prematch press conference that Leoni could be sidelined for around 12 months. The loss reduces Liverpool to three senior, fit central defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez, heightening concerns about depth as the champions compete on multiple fronts. Club officials and recruitment staff have begun internal discussions about whether to pursue defensive cover in January, with several courses of action under consideration including a short term loan or a permanent signing if the right profile becomes available.

Leoni was brought in this summer as part of a reshuffle in the centreback ranks that saw Jarell Quansah sold to Bayer Leverkusen. His absence has revived interest in several targets the club has...