Liverpool face uncertainty following the injury of Giovanni Leoni against Southampton. The Italian defender suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a Carabao Cup clash against the Saints.
The Reds signed the 18-year-old defender from Parma in the summer with the hopes of replacing Virgil van Dijk. The Merseysiders skipper has two years left on his contract after his recent extension.
Having turned 34 this year, it is expected that the Dutchman will take his leave from Anfield post-contract expiration. Currently, Liverpool only have four defenders in their squad, and now, following Leoni’s injury, Arne Slot will face further depth issues.
Any more injuries in the central defensive area might prove season-defining for the English outfit. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate remain the sole holders of the Reds’ defence.
Federico Chiesa Liverpool Champions League squad update
Federico Chiesa gets his chance to prove himself on the big stage (Credits: Imago Images)
Following Leoni’s injury, Federico Chiesa has been added to the UEFA Champions League Squad A List. The winger didn’t take things lightly when Arne Slot chose 17-year-old teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha over the winger.
The issues primarily concerned non-homegrown player limits. Ngumoha doesn’t count as a home-grown player as it’s only been two years since he turned 15.
Rules require that players need to spend three years on the Isles after their 15th birthday to count as a homegrown player. Unfortunately, due to the Englishman’s tender age, he was added as a non-homegrown player.
Giovanni Leoni also wouldn’t have been a part of the squad if Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi had made his move to Liverpool in the summer.
Quiz: Name the team Liverpool signed these players from in the 2010s
The dilemma post exclusion
Arne Slot had previously talked about the conversation that went down with Federico Chiesa after his UEFA Champions League exclusion.
The Dutchman expressed that the Italian winger wasn’t happy, but he took the challenge in a good way. However, despite the disagreements, Slot praised the winger’s attitude later in a press conference.
“I just explained to him why we made this choice. Of course, he wasn’t happy with that. I think he understood my arguments – that is not to say he agreed with them.”
Recently, Chiesa also talked about his willingness to be there for the team despite the competition and displayed an eagerness to grow and prove his spot.
“I can play more in this competition, but I want to show the manager I can play more in the Premier League. The coach gave me chances in the first four games, and I think I showed I can help the team. I’m not in the Champions League squad, but I am focused on the Carabao Cup.”
