BREAKING: Arne Slot confirms Liverpool's worst fears with Giovanni Leoni injury update

Arne Slot has confirmed that Giovanni Leoni will be ruled out for a year after the defender was stretchered from the field in Liverpool's Carabao Cup win over Southampton. The Italian teenager will be a long-term absentee after suffering an ACL injury in his first start for the club.

Leoni, 18, played 81 minutes against the Saints before he landed awkwardly near Anfield's Main Stand. The summer signing was in visible distress as he was replaced by Milos Kerkez and taken straight down the tunnel following his initial treatment.

Now Slot has revealed that Leoni, who was making his first start since joining from Parma in a £26m deal, will miss a significant period of time. The Dutchman called it a 'terrible' injury.

• Tottenham takeover bid 'launched' as stunning £4.5bn offer made
• Ex-Arsenal player Billy Vigar dies aged 21 after horrific incident in non-league clash

Slot said: "Leoni tore his ACL, so he will be out for around a year. New club, new country, playing so well in your first game, there are no positives, but he is still so young but he has so many years left to come after such a terrible injury."

Speaking after suffering his injury, Leoni thanked fans for their support earlier this week. "I want to sincerely thank every single person who has shown me support in this difficult moment," Leoni wrote on Instagram.

"It wasn't the debut I had always dreamed of, but I will give everything to be back playing in this magical stadium as soon as possible. Thank you so much!"

The injury leaves Slot with just three options in the centre of defence: Virgial van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez. Ahead of facing Crystal Palace this weekend, the Dutch coach would not be drawn on Marc Guehi, who Liverpool failed to land on transfer deadline day.

"I don't think one day before we play Palace to talk about Guehi again, he is a Palace player and very important for them. We prepare for Palace, they have not lost for 17 games in a row, so they are a difficult team to beat but so are we. We beat them 1-0 and twice it was a draw. I have enough options to replace a player in the centre-back position. Virgil, Ibou and Joe."

There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.

Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story.

Follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , Twitter , Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.