Liverpool have been dealt a potentially big defensive blow after Giovanni Leoni was stretchered off in the club's Carabao Cup game against Southampton.

The Italian's Reds debut after his £26million move from Parma in the summer was brought to a sudden end in a worrying moment in the second half.

With the score locked at 1-1 approaching the final ten minutes, the 18-year-old fell awkwardly after a collision with an opposition player.

Leoni was then stretchered off the field after receiving treatment for several minutes.

It was a strange incident for the young Italian, who just appeared to land badly and was clearly in agony.

As a result, he was replaced by Milos Kerkez for the closing stages.

Leoni was off the pitch for quite a while and couldn't move or be moved until the medical tea

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