Giovanni Leoni’s former manager sends heartfelt message after Liverpool injury blow

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Liverpool beat Southampton to advance in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, but lost teenage defender Giovanni Leoni to injury.

Liverpool secured yet another late win, beating Championship side Southampton 2-1 at Anfield.

Hugo Ekitike incurred the wrath of Arne Slot by picking up a red card for celebrating his winning goal.

Liverpool have teed up a fourth-round clash with Crystal Palace, but have been rocked by an injury to Giovanni Leoni.

• READ MORE: Whether Liverpool will accelerate Marc Guehi transfer after Giovanni Leoni injury bombshell

Parma boss reacts to Giovanni Leoni injury blow at Liverpool

Liverpool snapped up Leoni from Parma over the summer, spotting major potential in the 18-year-old defender.

Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi before the transfer deadline, meaning Leoni was given a chance to shine in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Leoni looked very impressive against Southampton, but his dream night at Anfield ended on a low note.

Leoni went down with an injury in the second half and now faces a long spell on the sidelines with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The news is an enormous blow for Leoni and Liverpool, but his former club, Parma, have also felt the effects of his injury.

Parma boss Carlos Cuesta has now sent a heartfelt message on behalf of everybody at Parma, while speaking on the club’s official website.

Cuesta praised Leoni as a ‘great lad who has done great things’ early in his career, and believes this injury lay-off will be an opportunity for him to grow in the future.

“I want to send a message from me and the whole of Parma for what happened yesterday,” said Cuesta.

“Everyone was asking me what would be the worst outcome today: that would’ve been if something happened like what happened to him. I want to wish him all the best, he is a great lad who has done great things. I am sure that it’s an opportunity to grow through the challenges, and he now has to recover, showing Italy and the world what he is capable of,” he added.

Parma send message to Liverpool’s Giovanni Leoni

Cuesta’s words have also been backed up by Parma’s official X account, as they sent a message to Leoni after his injury.

‘Sending you our support, Giovanni!

We are deeply sorry to hear about your injury. The whole club and Gialloblu family wish you a quick and easy recovery,’ they wrote.

Leoni only spent one year at Parma, but he clearly left a real mark on the club, and his injury has touched the hearts of many at his former club.

Liverpool managed to sign Leoni after Newcastle United missed out, and they will hope to see Leoni come back better than ever in 2026.