Andoni Iraola provides Liverpool injury update ahead of Ipswich Town clash

Andoni Iraola provides Liverpool injury update ahead of Ipswich Town clash Liverpool Injury Update: Giovanni Leoni Closing In on Return Liverpool have finally had a piece of good injury news. Giovanni Leoni, out for almost a year with an ACL tear, is due to resume full training during the upcoming international break. For a squad that spent too much of last season patching holes at centre-back, that matters. Leoni arrived from Parma last summer in a deal worth around £26 million. He made his Liverpool debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup on September 23, 2025, looked assured, then his night ended badly. He landed awkwardly near the touchline, needed treatment on the pitch, was stretchered off, and the club later confirmed the ACL injury. That absence created a problem which never really went away. Liverpool had to improvise defensively, with Wataru Endo used as emergency cover alongside Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk. It was functional at times, but clearly not the plan. Leoni return gives Liverpool defensive hope Andoni Iraola has now set out the timeline. Leoni is not ready for Friday night’s trip to Ipswich Town, but the next phase is close. The head coach said: “I think the next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni. I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group.” That is the key line. After an ACL lay-off, getting back into group training is a serious milestone. Liverpool will want caution, but they will also know Leoni can give them a proper centre-back option if he comes through the next stage cleanly. Photo IMAGO Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa also nearing fitness Iraola added: “The closest one is Joe. Joe will probably start training with us next week and it has gone normally, the recovery, from a muscle injury, more or less we were expecting the time on this. “I hope we can have him before the break, let’s say. “I think even Fede should be around those dates and probably Conor, and especially Hugo, will go later, yes.” So, no immediate cavalry for Ipswich after 2-2 draws with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. But Liverpool’s injury picture is improving, and Leoni’s return is the headline item.