Liverpool's Leoni set to rejoin full training on 12 Oct after ACL

📰 Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni, out for more than a year with a cruciate ligament injury, is expected to rejoin full team training from the week of 12 October. 📌 Key points 🩹 Leoni injured his cruciate ligament on his Liverpool debut in September 2025. 🗓️ The Athletic expects him back in full training in the week of 12 October. 🗣️ Iraola also named Leoni as the next player due back. ⚽ The plan is a gradual one, building match sharpness through U21 games. 🧢 His return would add a new dimension to the battle for centre-back places. 📝 What happened 🩹 Leoni ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on 23 September 2025 against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, his Liverpool debut. It came shortly after his £26m move from Parma that summer. 🏟️ He reportedly spent most of his rehabilitation at the club's AXA Training Centre, staying close to the staff. The Evening Standard, citing The Athletic, reported that Leoni will take part in full training from the week of 12 October, straight after the home game against Manchester City. 🗣️ At an earlier press conference, Iraola said the next player back would probably be Leoni, with the plan for him to start group training during the international break (Evening Standard). 🔁 His comeback will be phased, though. According to This Is Anfield and others, he will build match fitness through U21 games, with the U21 EFL Trophy tie against Doncaster on 7 October considered too soon. 📊 By the numbers • Fee: £26m (summer 2025, from Parma) • Injured: 23 September 2025 → around a year out • Expected return to full training: week of 12 October • Gruelling run of 10 games in 28 days from 11 October 🔭 Why it matters Liverpool currently have Araujo, on loan from Barcelona, at right-back, with Jacquet, signed from Rennes, partnering Van Dijk. Bradley is expected back around the same time, while Ekitike's return has been pushed further back. With 10 games to play in 28 days, Leoni's return could give some breathing room in defensive rotation. The first step is his return to training, which starts after the Man City game at Anfield on 11 October.