Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has offered words of encouragement to teammate Giovanni Leoni after the young defender suffered a serious injury during his Reds debut.
Leoni, one of Liverpool’s summer signings, impressed on his first appearance against Southampton in the Carabao Cup before disaster struck late in the game. An awkward fall forced him off on a stretcher, and subsequent scans confirmed he had torn his ACL—a blow that could keep him sidelined for up to a year.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, Gakpo admitted it was painful to see such misfortune befall the teenager so early in his Anfield career.
> “It’s really tough to witness something like that,” Gakpo said. “We’ll do everything we can to stand by him and help him through this difficult period.”
Leoni had already shared a message of gratitude with fans on social media, thanking them for their support since the news broke. Several Liverpool players have also rallied behind him as he begins a long road to recovery.
The Italian was part of a record-breaking summer at Anfield, with Liverpool investing heavily in their squad. Alongside Leoni, marquee signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak also arrived, with Isak marking his first goal for the Reds against Southampton.
Gakpo expressed excitement about playing alongside the Swedish striker, praising his quality and predicting he could replicate his prolific form from Newcastle on Merseyside.
While Liverpool prepare to face Palace, the focus within the camp remains on lifting Leoni’s spirits as he faces a grueling rehabilitation spell.
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