Liverpool's Leoni faces year out after ACL injury on debut / Photo: Paul ELLIS - AFP
-
Paralluelo joins Barca women's departures
-
UN says transport infrastructure must adapt to climate
-
Police hunt for Monaco bomb suspect after Ukrainian-born businessman wounded
-
Sommer, Acerbi, Darmian, De Vrij leave Inter Milan
-
Sommer, Acerbi, Darmian leave Inter Milan
-
Germany's labour market dilemma: rising unemployment despite vacancies
-
'Waiting like torture': Turks despair as Schengen visa delays mount
-
Skating allows Russian, Belarussians to return as neutrals
-
Venezuela rescuers in final push to find survivors as families mourn
-
Russian double Olympic figure skating champion Dmitriev dies aged 58
-
Over 1 million migrants apply for Spain's mass regularisation: PM
-
S. Africa deploys police as anti-migrant protests loom
-
Thousands from Philippine sect protest pro-Duterte senator's graft case
-
Monaco parcel bomb blast wounds Ukrainian oligarch
-
South Africa repatriations top 25,000 ahead of anti-immigrant ultimatum
-
Sweden face France's attacking firepower at the World Cup
-
Taiwan raids tech firms in China AI chip smuggling probe
-
Online same-sex romance series embrace AI 'freedom'
-
Morocco 'unstoppable' says coach after Netherlands thriller
-
New Oxford academic centre symbolises UK's big-donor era
-
Russia's small businesses pay the price of spiralling Ukraine war
-
Trump says Iran meeting set in Qatar, despite uncertainty
-
Paraguay shock Germany as Brazil, Morocco advance at World Cup
-
Morocco down Netherlands to reach World Cup last 16
-
NASA robot mission aiming to rescue space telescope
-
Asian stocks unable to track Wall St higher, yen holds at 40-year low
-
Mouse-that-roared Paraguay savors World Cup win over Germany
-
'We came from nothing': DR Congo dreams of England World Cup upset
-
Taiwan's ageing seaweed harvesters hope younger women wade in
-
Peruvian political heir Fujimori wins presidency
-
Key Venezuela port opens with US aid, as burials begin
-
What to expect as EU small parcel levy kicks in
-
Ambitious Japan search for answers after World Cup exit
-
Nagelsmann says won't 'run away' after Germany World Cup exit
-
How NATO will try to keep Trump happy at Ankara summit
-
Paraguay coach salutes 'extraordinary' World Cup win over Germany
-
Ultra-wealthy Chinese exile in New York sentenced to 30 years for fraud
-
Japan fans stunned as Brazil end their World Cup dream
-
Years on, families bury 68 Indigenous victims of Guatemala civil war
-
'Powerhouse' Haaland leads by example at World Cup: Norway coach Solbakken
-
'Deliberate' Monaco explosion wounds Ukrainian oligarch
-
Sadness and joy as breakaway Catholic group nears schism
-
Paraguay shock Germany, Brazil advance at World Cup
-
Creality Printers Review Site Help Buyers Compare Creality Printers
-
HUNTING/HER Headhunter Talk with EnBW Board Member & CHRO Colette Rückert-Hennen
-
SP Industries Inc. Leverages Bioz to Unify Scientific Validation Across Its Portfolio of Leading Brands
-
Apex Mobilizes Drill Rig and Commences 2026 Exploration Program at the Cap Critical Minerals Project
-
Guardian Metal Resources PLC Announces Pilot Mountain Pre-Feasibility Study Results
-
Tenstorrent Sets New Performance Records, Launches TT- Ascalon S, and Expands Across Japan
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - June 30
Liverpool's Leoni faces year out after ACL injury on debut
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Friday that teenaged Italian defender Giovanni Leoni would be sidelined for up to a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during his debut.
The 18-year-old, who joined the Premier League champions from Parma last month in a deal worth an initial £26 million ($35 million), was injured during the Reds' 2-1 League Cup win against Southampton on Tuesday.
"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 said ahead of Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace.
"Being so young, coming to a new country, playing so well in your first game.
"He's still so young so he has so many years still to go after he recovers from a terrible injury like that."
The loss of Leoni leaves Slot with just three fit centre-backs -- captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.
Liverpool wanted Palace captain Marc Guehi for extra cover in that position but the England international's move to Anfield on deadline day collapsed after the Eagles failed to sign a replacement.
Guehi has been key to extending Palace's club record run of 17 games without defeat in all competitions.
The only two unbeaten teams in the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park with Liverpool looking to extend their perfect start of five consecutive victories.
However, they have relied on a number of late winners and moments of good fortune.
"If you would have asked me that after playing Newcastle away, Arsenal at home, and all these difficult games we had, that we would have the maximum results? I would have probably told you 'no'," said Slot.
"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."
Hugo Ekitike's red card for taking his shirt off in celebration after scoring the winner against Southampton was branded as "stupid" by his manager.
The French striker will now be suspended for the Palace clash, but Alexander Isak is set to start his first Premier League game since becoming the most expensive player in the competition's history after a £125-million move from Newcastle.
W.Morales--AT
