Giovanni Leoni's first full Liverpool start carried all the promise of a young defender stepping into the Anfield lights, but by the time the Carabao Cup tie against Southampton reached its closing stages, the mood had shifted from excitement to uneasy concern. The Italian centre-back, signed from Parma in the summer transfer window, was forced off after suffering what looked like a worrying injury, and Fabrizio Romano, writing in his exclusive GIVEMESPORT newsletter, has confirmed that Liverpool are waiting for scans to determine the severity of the problem.

Anfield held its breath as Leoni went down. The injury arrived with a cruel sense of timing, interrupting what had been a composed full debut for a player who was always viewed as one for the long term. Now all eyes are peeled on the scan results, and nobody at the club wants to jump to conclusions before the medical team delivers a clearer picture.

A Rotated Liverpool Side Still Found a Way

Arne Slot made a host of changes for the cup tie, resting the key stars who had started at the weekend and handing opportunities to a mix of senior players in need of rhythm and academy prospects hungry for a chance. Alexander Isak was given the nod to build up his fitness, while Trey Nyoni and Giovanni Leoni were among the young names trusted with rare starts.

The match itself offered plenty of drama well before the final concern over Leoni's condition. A quick look at the major moments shows just how eventful the night became:

• ⚽ Alexander Isak put the hosts ahead just before half-time

• ⚽ Shea Charles fired home from close range to level for Southampton

• ⚽ Hugo Ekitike scored the winner for Liverpool

• 🟥 Ekitike was then sent off for a second yellow card after removing his shirt

• 🚑 Giovanni Leoni was withdrawn late on with a worrying injury

As the game moved towards its conclusion, Hugo Ekitike produced what looked like the decisive moment, scoring the winner for Liverpool. But his celebration proved costly. The French striker was shown a second yellow card for removing his shirt, leaving his team to see out the closing minutes with ten men. It was that kind of evening: plenty of heart, plenty of noise, and more than a few nervous glances towards the pitch.

The Injury Concern and Romano's Update

The focus after the full-time whistle was not solely on the scoreline. Leoni's late withdrawal cast a shadow over Liverpool's progress, and updates from the dressing room were always going to matter more than the result itself to supporters who have seen the young defender impress in his early outings.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are waiting for tests and scans to discover the full extent of the injury. The respected reporter noted that it does not look like a small injury, a phrase that has done little to settle nerves around the club. The player's own side are also waiting for scans and hoping for the best, which speaks to the level of uncertainty surrounding the situation.

The waiting game is never kind, especially for a player who had waited patiently for his full debut and looked ready to take the opportunity. Leoni had been calm in possession and positionally sharp before the injury, doing his reputation no harm on a night when Slot's rotation gave him a platform to show exactly why Liverpool brought him in.

What Leoni Means to Liverpool's Defensive Plans

Leoni was never expected to walk straight into Liverpool's strongest eleven. His move from Serie A side Parma was framed as a long-term investment, with the club seeing him as a defender who could grow into a major role rather than someone who needed to make an instant impact.

That said, the reality of a demanding season meant he was already needed as cover. Liverpool's lack of defensive depth made him more than just a name for the future; he was a genuine option for Slot when rotation became necessary. Losing him for any extended period would be a blow, both to the player's development and to the manager's ability to shuffle his pack during a congested run of fixtures.

The hope, of course, is that the scans bring better news than the early signs suggest. Touch wood, the damage proves less severe than feared, and Leoni can return to the pitch over the coming weeks or months. Until then, Liverpool will keep their fingers crossed and let the medical process run its course. For a young defender who had just begun to feel the rhythm of first-team football, the only thing worse than the injury itself would be a long spell on the sidelines when he was finally starting to find his feet.