**Liverpool centre-back Giovanni Leoni is finally nearing his return from a long-term injury layoff, according to an update from reliable journalist Lewis Steele.**
The Italian hasn’t featured for the Reds since last September, in what proved to be his first and only appearance for the club to date, following a summer move from Parma.
It was a highly impressive Liverpool debut against Southampton in the EFL Cup, only for Leoni to cruelly suffer ACL damage and not play again since.
The highly-rated defender has been working hard on his recovery for many months alongside Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike, and good news has now emerged.
According to Steele on [_X_](https://x.com/LewisSteele_/status/2095439917031555208?s=20), Leoni is expected to be back in Liverpool training during the September international break, with updates also provided on two other players:
_“LFC injury update: Joe Gomez will return to training next week, it is hoped. Giovanni Leoni will look to begin training during the international break and Federico Chiesa will be similar.”_
**Giovanni Leoni can be Liverpool’s next great centre-back**
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Overhyping any young player can be reckless, especially after such a serious injury, but Leoni undoubtedly looks like a player with an incredibly high ceiling.
At only 19, he plays with a maturity beyond his years and doesn’t appear to have a weakness, with legendary former AC Milan manager [Arrigo Sacchi](https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-transfer-news-rumours/74778/liverpool-fc-arrigo-sacchi-heaps-praise-on-giovanni-leoni-ahead-ofl-move-parma) making it clear that he is an admirer in the past:
_“We’re dealing with a talent, there’s no doubt about that. Of course, at only eighteen, there’s considerable room for improvement. For example, in my opinion, he could become even more confident in his playmaking. I appreciated his commanding attitude, because Leoni was a true commander in Parma’s defence last season: leadership is clearly in his DNA, and that’s another aspect to consider.”_
Liverpool must handle Leoni with care, rather than rushing him back too quickly, but having him available again will be a big boost for Andoni Iraola.
Virgil van Dijk can’t go on forever, but the teenager looks like a natural heir to him, along with the equally prodigious Jeremy Jacquet. Hopefully, they are the Reds’ next great centre-back pairing.