‘The plan now is…’ – Andoni Iraola issues Giovanni Leoni injury update as 13-month wait goes on

Andoni Iraola has admitted that it’s taking longer than he expected for Giovanni Leoni to return from his ACL injury. The Italian defender has now been out of action for 13 months and counting, having not played since suffering that devastating body blow on his debut for Liverpool in a Carabao Cup win over Southampton.

Although the 19-year-old has been working hard on his rehabilitation behind the scenes and there had been hopes of a return to team training during the recent international window, that stepping stone now looks set to be pushed back by at least another month.

Leoni return delayed yet again Speaking to the media on Thursday, Iraola was asked how close Leoni is to finally returning to action, and the head coach had some frustrating news on the centre-back.