Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni has discussed his physical transformation after images went viral
Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool
Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni has worked hard in the gym during his spell on the sidelines(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni has responded to the intrigue surrounding his body transformation. The 19-year-old has spent his time on the sidelines getting into shape as he recovers from an ACL injury.
Leoni was stretchered off during his Reds debut against Southampton last September after suffering a cruel blow in his first appearance for the club. The defender, who was a £26million signing from Parma, is now nearing a return to full training.
During his time out of action, Leoni has focused on improving his physicality for the demands of English football. However, interest in the Italian’s new physique has led to AI-generated images of the Liverpool centre-back going viral on social media.
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While Leoni’s work in the gym has produced notable results, the mocked-up images heavily exaggerate the transformation. The former Parma star has revealed that he was forced to clear up any confusion and tell his friends the truth after receiving messages about the AI pictures.
“My friends always send it to me,” Leoni said on Liverpool’s YouTube channel as part of their AXA partnership. “I had to say to them, ‘This is AI.’
“Of course, I work in the gym for 10 months but this is AI, you can see.” Leoni was sitting alongside fellow defender Conor Bradley, who joked: “They’re not AI, mate.”
The pair have formed a bond as both have been rehabilitating from long-term injuries simultaneously. Bradley suffered a serious knee issue in January and Leoni has appreciated going through the process alongside the Northern Ireland captain.
“Since his injury, we’ve been together a lot because of the rehab,” Leoni explained. “We have a good relationship, and we know each other more and more, day by day. I’m really happy to have a good relationship with him.”
Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool
Leoni has improved his physique since his Liverpool debut(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool
The Italian has focused on gym work during his injury lay-off(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Liverpool’s centre-back options have altered during Leoni’s lay-off. Jeremy Jacquet arrived from Rennes and Ronald Araujo signed on loan from Barcelona, while Ibrahima Konate chose to join Real Madrid at the end of his contract this summer.
The 19-year-old will be eager to impress new manager Andoni Iraola and make up for lost time after seeing his young career halted by injury last term. However, Leoni displayed maturity when reflecting on his Liverpool debut being cut short after 81 minutes in the Carabao Cup.
“It was my first game at Anfield with my fans, with my teammates,” Leoni said. “I played a good game and then I had that injury. Looking back, I can say I’m glad to have made my debut in front of my fans.”
He continued: “After that, I received a lot of messages, a lot of support from the fans. Looking back, I can just say thank you to everyone.
“I stayed here since the first day until now because I wanted to do the rehab with the physios here. Even for the relationships and for the English, it was the best thing to do in that period, so I decided to stay with my teammates in Liverpool.”