Liverpool Poised to Exploit Champions League Loophole Following Giovanni Leoni's Devastating Injury
Liverpool encountered their first significant injury blow of the 2025–26 campaign during Tuesday's Carabao Cup third round victory against Southampton.
The Merseyside club secured the win through strikes from new signings Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké—with the latter subsequently receiving his marching orders for a ridiculous second yellow card—however, it wasn't entirely positive news for Liverpool's fresh acquisitions.
Giovanni Leoni, the 18-year-old acquired from Parma for £26 million, had delivered an impressive first appearance before being carried off on a stretcher with ten minutes remaining, with initial reports indicating the youngster has suffered ACL damage. He's expected to be sidelined for most of the campaign consequently.
It represents a significant setback for Liverpool and their Italian prodigy, though the injury crisis will create opportunities for another squad member under Arne Slot due to a revised Champions League regulation.
How Revised Champions League Regulation Could Aid Liverpool
UEFA has implemented a fresh squad registration regulation for the 2025–26 campaign which stands to advantage the Reds. Competing teams can now substitute a player listed in their 25-man squad before Matchday 6 should they suffer a prolonged injury or medical condition.
Leoni's unavailability will probably satisfy the 60-day threshold for an extended absence, indicating Liverpool should be permitted to substitute the centre-back for the league phase.
A recent UEFA announcement regarding the regulation modification stated: "The Executive Committee approved an amendment to the 2025–26 UEFA men's club competitions' regulations to admit the temporary replacement of a maximum of one outfield player with long-term injury or illness during the league phase until matchday 6 included.
"The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure."
Who Might Replace Giovanni Leoni in Liverpool's Champions League Squad?
Slot will almost definitely substitute Leoni with his fellow Italian Federico Chiesa. The winger was excluded from the league phase roster as Liverpool couldn't accommodate him, but the 27-year-old should now receive a European chance.
Liverpool's shortage of centre-back alternatives means Slot cannot utilize a direct replacement, with the Reds' failure to complete the transfer for Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guéhi on deadline day proving even more disappointing now.
Chiesa, nevertheless, has made a remarkably positive start to the campaign and will prove valuable for Slot in European competition. The attacker, who was heavily linked with an Anfield departure during the summer, netted a vital winner against Bournemouth in Liverpool's Premier League season opener and provided two assists against Southampton in midweek.
Liverpool are concerningly short on centre-backs but Chiesa will enhance their exceptional attacking options in the Champions League.