Leoni reflects on ‘greatest pain' but vows to come back stronger

GIOVANNI Leoni has opened up on the devastation of his anterior cruciate ligament tear, revealing it was the “strongest pain” he had ever felt in his life.

- By PAUL GORST

But the youngster has also vowed to come back stronger at Liverpool.

Leoni turned in an assured performance in a 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup back in September but was forced off with the ACL injury in the closing stages, effectively ruining his maiden term at Anfield in the process.

The teenage defender is not expected back until next season but as he continues his rehabilitation process, Leoni, a £26m capture from Parma in August, says he will return as a better player.

“Yes, as soon as I hit the ground, I said to Conor Bradley, my teammate: ‘I've done my cruciate,” Leoni told Gazetta dello Sport.

“It had never happened to me [before] but it was a strange feeling. I thought: ‘That's it, period.’ A great, strong pain, the strongest pain I have felt in life.