Five Players Liverpool Could Sign after Devastating Giovanni Leoni Injury Blow

Liverpool could be forced into the market after suffering a devastating injury blow to Giovanni Leoni.

The Reds signed the highly-rated 18-year-old defender in the summer for £26m, bringing him in from Italian club Parma. He made his debut earlier this week, starting at Anfield in the Carabao Cup third round victory over Southampton.

Leoni impressed during his 81 minutes on the pitch, before he was forced off with injury, sparking concern among supporters. And Arne Slot has now confirmed that the youngster will be side-lined for 'around a year' after suffering an ACL injury.

That absence leaves Liverpool short at centre-back. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate remain first-choice, but Joe Gomez, who was linked with a transfer in the summer, is the only other senior centre-back available

There a couple of midfielders capable of filling in, with Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic returning from injury. But Leoni's injury has sparked rumours that Liverpool could be forced into the transfer market in January.

Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk. Image: Liverpool FC / Contributor via Getty

Who could Liverpool sign?

The most obvious target would be Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. The 25-year-old completed a medical on deadline day in the summer and was set for a £35m move.

But the deal collapsed when Palace failed to bring in a replacement.

With his contract set to expire next summer, Palace may look to sell in January, rather than risk losing him for nothing.

Targeting centre-backs, whose contracts are close to expiring could be a tactic that Liverpool deploy. Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano is out of contract next summer, although the German champions are keen to extend his deal.

Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger is another defender whose contract runs out in 2026, but there are reports that the club have a one-year extension.

Marc Guehi was close to joining Liverpool in the summer. Image: Lewis Storey / Stringer via Getty

Even so, the German may want to return to England.

Liverpool may target a younger, less experienced signing. Over the summer, the Mail's Lewis Steele reported that the Reds had scouted three young defenders.

One of those was Leoni himself, but he also mentioned Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez and Wolfsburg's Konstantinos Koulierakis.

Ordonez already has experience in the Champions League, having played 12 games for the Belgian side in Europe last season.

He also offers versatility and is capable of filling in at right-back, which may appeal to Slot who has been forced to use Dominik Szoboszlai out of position.

Koulierakis, a left-footed centre back is also comfortable at left back, adding further flexibility.

With Leoni out for a year, Liverpool may have no choice but to buy in January.