**Liverpool are unbeaten in all competitions as they continue to click into gear under Andoni Iraola.**
The Spaniard has breathed new life into the club after an underwhelming 2025-26 campaign under Arne Slot that eventually led to his dismissal.
That said, it’s not to say Iraola has been without his troubles at Anfield.
During pre-season, Virgil van Dijk was unavailable due to his commitments with the Netherlands and the likes of Giovanni Leoni, Joe Gomez and Jeremy Jacquet were all injured, so he had gaping holes in defence.
All of them, barring Leoni, are now fit and firing. And now, [The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7634195/2026/10/02/liverpool-giovanni-leoni-defence-analysis-return/?unlocked_article_code=1.FlE.wjdk.5oH2ZIqTjyvO&source=emp_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share) have confirmed that the Italian is also close to returning to action for Liverpool.
An excerpt from the aforementioned article reads, “The hope is that he returns to full training in the week commencing October 12.”
Leoni has played just one game for Liverpool, but everyone associated with the club has high hopes for him.