giovanni leoni return to training

As of mid-April 2026, Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni has returned to light, individual training on the grass at the AXA Training Centre. He is currently working with the ball and is widely expected to resume full team training by the end of April 2026.

Current Status and Recovery

Injury: Leoni underwent surgery for an ACL injury sustained in September 2025 during his debut against Southampton.

Progress: After six months of rehabilitation, he began running and conducting outdoor drills in late March 2026.

Timeline: While he is unlikely to feature in senior matches for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, the goal is for him to have a full pre-season to prepare for the 2026/27 campaign.

Leoni is considered a key part of Liverpool’s future defensive core alongside fellow center-back Jérémy Jacquet. His recovery is progressing well, and he is on track to be fully available for the summer tour in July.

Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni misses training ahead of Palace …

YouTube·Sky Sports News

From Italy: Giovanni Leoni set for surprise early return after ACL surgery

2 Apr 2026 — Giovanni Leoni has now been sidelined for six months after undergoing ACL surgery in October, but the Liverpool defender is mooted for an early return. Leoni wa…

This Is Anfield

This is class… after suffering an ACL injury in his first game for Liverpool …

28 Mar 2026 — Massive news for Liverpool as 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni returns to outdoor training at the AXA! 🇮🇹 ​After his ACL surgery, the Italian center-back is working…

Instagram

Giovanni Leoni is back training on grass as the #LFC defender steps up his …

27 Mar 2026 — 💪 Giovanni Leoni is back training on grass as the #LFC defender steps up his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on an ACL injury last year. Theo Squires’s…

Facebook·Theo Squires

Giovanni Leoni is back training on grass after undergoing surgery on …

28 Mar 2026 — ​🇮🇹 GIOVANNI LEONI: A SURPRISE BOOST. ​The 19-year-old is defying expectations after his ACL surgery in October. ​Training Status: He is already back on the g…

Instagram

Giovanni Leoni is expected to return to team training by the end of …

2 Apr 2026 — Giovanni Leoni is on course to make a return for Liverpool’s pre-season training, with the centre-back now working on the grass again after his ACL surgery. In …

Facebook

Leoni Injury Update: Liverpool Defender Shares BTS of Recovery

28 Mar 2026 — Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones, Milos Kerkez and Rio Ngumoha also posted messages while Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, Giorgi…

This Is Anfield

Giovanni Leoni returns to training – DaveOCKOP

1 Apr 2026 — With Jeremy Jacquet already signed from Rennes, both players are expected to form part of a new core of centre-backs for the 2026/27 season. Virgil van Dijk rem…

DaveOCKOP

Leoni to Return to Training by End of the Month – Yahoo Sports

2 Apr 2026 — Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool plays during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on September 23, …

Yahoo Sports

Liverpool injury, suspension list and return dates vs. Everton – Sports Mole

17 Apr 2026 — Possible return date: Unknown. Nineteen-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni recently stepped up his recovery process by training on grass for the first time sin…

Giovanni Leoni back in light training

A bold and unexpected prediction has taken over social media, sparking intense reactions from football fans worldwide. A so-called “supercomputer” has simulated the upcoming clash between Everton and Liverpool FC and the result it produced is turning heads for all the wrong reasons

According to the model, the projected scoreline is far from what most supporters would consider realistic. Instead of the tight, hard-fought battle typically associated with this historic rivalry, the system has delivered an outcome that many fans are calling outrageous, unbelievable, and even laughable

The Merseyside derby has always been known for its intensity, physicality, and unpredictability. Form often goes out the window when these two sides meet, with passion and pride playing just as big a role as tactics and quality. That’s exactly why this prediction has raised so many eyebrows

Supporters quickly flooded online platforms with reactions. Some dismissed the result as pure nonsense, arguing that no algorithm can truly capture the emotion and chaos of a derby clash  Others, however, are quietly intrigued, entertaining the possibility that football might once again deliver the unexpected

Supercomputer models typically rely on advanced data such as player performance metrics, expected goals, recent form, and historical matchups. They simulate fixtures thousands of times to generate probabilities and likely outcomes. Still, even the most sophisticated systems are not immune to extreme or unlikely scenarios appearing in their projections

What makes this particular prediction stand out is just how far it strays from conventional expectations. Derby matches between Everton and Liverpool are usually closely contested, often decided by fine margins rather than dramatic scorelines. This is why the current projection feels so shocking to many observers

While some fans are enjoying the humor and chaos surrounding the prediction, others see it as a reminder that football remains unpredictable. No matter how advanced technology becomes, the game continues to defy logic when emotions run high on the pitch

Whether the supercomputer ends up being wildly wrong or surprisingly accurate, one thing is certain: anticipation for the Merseyside derby has just reached another level

Liverpool’s season went from bad to worse against PSG.

Hugo Ekitiké’s season is over. | Liverpool FC

A miserable Champions League night for Liverpool took another downward turn when Hugo Ekitiké collapsed to the turf late in the first half of the 2–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

The summer signing was in visible distress as he left the pitch on a stretcher and immediate fears of a serious problem were exacerbated by Arne Slot’s postgame comments.

“Hugo looks really bad but it is difficult to say how bad,” Slot confessed.

“Let’s see. It doesn’t look good, that is clear.”

Center back Ibrahima Konaté was similarly downbeat, adding: “I think it is bad. I don’t know, I have heard many things, I have no word to talk about that because with the World Cup coming it is very, very hard for him and I send him my prayers.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Ekitiké’s injury.

FREE NEWSLETTER: Sign Up to Get Informed With SI FC

What Injury Does Ekitiké Have?

There was immediate concern from both sets of players. | Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images

No formal diagnosis has been revealed just yet, but fans were left incredibly worried by the sight of a devastated Ekitiké needing a stretcher to leave the field.

Ekitiké was grabbing his ankle as he sat on the ground, indicating a potential Achilles injury. Problems in that area can range in severity.

Reports in France state that, unfortunately, Ekitiké has ruptured his Achilles tendon, forcing him into an extended period on the sidelines.

When Will Ekitiké Return From Injury?

Ekitiké left the field on a stretcher. | Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Again, a timeline can only be established once the full extent of Ekitiké’s injury is determined.

If Ekitiké has suffered an nasty Achilles injury, the usual recovery timeline sits at around nine months and it would take a superhuman effort for him to be back on the pitch before the end of 2026.

His absence could stretch well into 2027 if any setbacks arise. Realistically, Ekitiké may not be back to his best until the start of the 2027–28 campaign.

What Matches Could Ekitiké Miss Through Injury?

More bad news for Arne Slot. | Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

With just six games and as many weeks left of the season, Ekitiké’s 2025–26 campaign was accepted to be over before any tests were conducted.

A ruptured Achilles means Ekitiké is staring at nine months on the sidelines at the very least. Not only is his season over, but the Frenchman will also be denied a spot at his first World Cup, which gets underway in just under eight weeks.

Nine months would put Ekitiké’s return at January 2027 but, as Slot has been eager to stress this season with fellow striker Alexander Isak, being back on the pitch is not the same as returning to a pre-injury level.

While Liverpool fans may see Ekitiké back in action early next year, they will have to be incredibly patient while he works his way back to full fitness.

Liverpool’s Remaining Premier League Fixtures

Opponent

Date

Everton (A)

April 19

Crystal Palace (H)

April 25

Man Utd (A)

May 3

Chelsea (H)

May 9

Aston Villa (A)

May 17

Brentford (H)

May 24