Giovanni Leoni injury setback could force Liverpool to rethink January transfer plan

 Giovanni Leoni’s debut could not have ended in a crueler fashion, and now Liverpool is left in a very delicate position.

The Italian had impressed in his first appearance for the Reds after being handed a start against Southampton on Tuesday, only for his night to end in the worst possible fashion as he left the stage on a stretcher.

The full extent of his injury has not yet been confirmed, but the sight of Leoni writhing in agony before being carried down the tunnel was certainly not promising, and it seems in all likelihood that he will be facing a lengthy period out.

It is a deeply cruel blow for a young player who only got his big move just over a month ago, and was showing some promising signs on his first Anfield outing. Instead of looking ahead to more opportunities over the coming months, it seems as though Leoni will instead have to look further down the line towards his recovery.

It’s a huge setback not only for the player, but also for his new club.

With Leoni surely now out for the foreseeable future, Liverpool must navigate at least the next few months with just three recognized senior center-backs. With the Reds’ schedule packed with European and domestic duties, Arne Slot will need to rely on Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez staying fit, which feels like a gamble when it comes to the latter pair.

Of course, had Marc Guehi completed a move to Anfield on transfer deadline day, then there wouldn’t be nearly as much concern right now.

Crystal Palace’s decision to pull the plug on that deal will be felt even more sorely now, although there is always the chance that Liverpool could revisit it in January.

Reports since that failed move at the start of the month have suggested that the Reds will not be going back in for Guehi in the New Year, instead deciding that waiting for him to become a free agent in the summer would be the better option.

With Leoni out injured, Liverpool might well view things differently now. Of course, shelling out any sort of a fee for a player who will cost nothing in a few months’ time might feel like bad business, but it might prove necessary if Slot’s side is to win more silverware this season.

What’s more, given the suggestions that Manchester City could enter the race for Guehi’s signature, going in early might be the best way to stop the Reds’ rivals from potentially turning the Palace captain’s head.

At this point, with Leoni looking set for a long period out, it does feel as though Liverpool's stance will need a rethink. Whether Palace - or more specifically, Oliver Glasner - would be willing to let Guehi go is another matter, but the Reds now have to give some serious thought as to how they approach the remainder of the season with one of their defensive options out of the picture