The strongest pain of my life' – Liverpool signing opens up

 Liverpool’s long-term planning was dealt a cruel blow earlier this season, but one of our youngest summer signings has made it clear his story at Anfield is only just beginning.

Giovanni Leoni has spoken openly about the moment his Liverpool debut was cut short, insisting the setback will ultimately make him stronger.

The 19-year-old centre-back suffered a torn ACL during the Carabao Cup win over Southampton in September.

Speaking via Liverpoolfc.com, the Italian described instantly knowing the seriousness of the injury.

“As soon as I hit the ground I said to Conor Bradley, my teammate: ‘I’ve done my cruciate,’” Leoni admitted.

Leoni opens up on Liverpool injury setback

The former Parma defender explained how the mental challenge has been just as demanding as the physical recovery.

Those comments echo the update he shared from his hospital bed shortly after surgery, when he wrote: “Surgery done. Thanks everyone for the messages. I’ll be back soon.”

Arne Slot later confirmed the teenager “will be out for a year”, underlining the scale of the challenge ahead.

Despite that, Leoni believes the experience will shape him positively.

Leoni explains why Liverpool still feels right

The Italy international also spoke warmly about his decision to join Liverpool and the environment he has found during his rehabilitation.

Leoni highlighted several senior figures who have already influenced him, naming Virgil van Dijk as an inspiration and praising Mo Salah’s obsessive professionalism.

“Virgil, he has the charisma of a captain,” the teenager explained. “After the injury he called me immediately.”