Giovanni Leoni has given an honest interview in which he has praised the support of his Liverpool teammates and credited Andrea Pirlo’s influence on his young career.
Leoni may have only played may have only played 80 minutes for Liverpool, but he has already made a strong impression on fans who are excited for his future.
Amid the record transfers and sagas of the summer, the £26 million acquisition of Leoni from Parma went under the radar.
In the long run, however, the 19-year-old could have as big an impact as any of Liverpool’s new arrivals.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Liverpool's Giovanni Leoni during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Having already played for Calcio Padova, Parma and Sampdoria, he has a good grounding and made sure to thank one of the most influential figures in his young career while speaking to La Gazetta dello Sport.
“I’m very fond of Mr Pirlo. Without him I wouldn’t be at Liverpool,” Leoni said.
“When I arrived at Sampdoria, I was supposed to play with the Primavera (academy team), but instead he called me up to the first team after two days of training and put me on the pitch in my first game.
“For me, he’s a fantastic person.”
Leoni played 12 times under Pirlo at Sampdoria before the defender moved on to Parma, where he made 17 senior appearances and played in his last six months under Cristian Chivu.
‘Never anything concrete’ with Italian clubs
3B3EKGR Rome, Italy. 28th Apr, 2025. Giovanni Leoni of Parma seen during Italian football championship Serie A Enilive 2024-2025 derby match between SS Lazio Vs Parma Calcio 1913 at Stadio Olimpico. Final result of the match Lazio 2 : 2 Parma (Photo by Marco Iacobucci/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Despite his relatively low number of senior games, Liverpool came calling in the summer, but there were reportedly other options for Leoni.
The Italian was asked if he ever came close to joining another team, to which he replied: “No, there’s never been anything concrete with any Italian club.
“Sure, when there’s interest, you think about it, but there wasn’t one team that was closer than the others. I didn’t set any goals, I just wanted to see what would happen day by day.”
While his first campaign on Merseyside was curtailed early by a serious ACL injury, he has no regrets about the move.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Liverpool's Giovanni Leoni is stretchered off after a tackle during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• READ: Giovanni Leoni updates on ACL injury & Liverpool return – “The hardest part is over”
“When a team like Liverpool calls you, it’s hard not to look at them differently,” Leoni added.
“I have to say that every day I believe the Premier League was the best choice.
“I’ve had the support and affection of my teammates. On TV, you wonder what they’ll be like, but then you get to know them and realise they’re just normal people.”
Virgil van Dijk, who suffered the same injury in 2020, has been among those to guide Leoni through his recovery.
While his spirits may have been dented in the initial aftermath of his injury, there is no one better placed to help him return to full fitness and take him to the top level at Liverpool.