Liverpool are finally set to buy a new defender, four years after their last purchase.
The Reds signed Ibrahima Konate in 2021, but despite looking light at various times in the years in between, have continued to wait for another addition.
That wait is finally about to be ended, with Parma defender Giovanni Leoni on the verge of joining Liverpool.
Leoni has decided to make the move to Anfield from Serie A despite being just 18. It is a brave move for the youngster, especially when put in the context of how some of his countrymen have fared at Liverpool.
The Reds have had six Italians play for the club in the past and present, with none quite able to set the place alight. Here, Rousing The Kop take a look at those who Leoni will be hoping not to emulate.
Giovanni Leoni of Parma walks out ahead of the Serie A match against Bologna at the Estadio Renato Dall'Ara.
Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
Daniele Padelli, Goalkeeper, 2007
While some of the names on this list will be instantly recognisable to every Liverpool fan, some will be less so.
Goalkeeper Daniele Padelli falls into the latter camp having played just once for the Reds after joining in January 2007.
The then 22-year-old Padelli arrived on loan from Sampdoria in a slightly strange looking deal, becoming the first Italian to play for Liverpool.
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Padelli did play once for the Reds, making his first and last appearance on the final day of the 2006/7 Premier League campaign, against Charlton.
Years at Liverpool Liverpool Appearances Liverpool Goals
0.5 1 0
Daniele Padelli at Liverpool
Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa warming up for Liverpool ahead of the pre-season game against Athletic Club.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Andrea Dossena, Left-back, 2008-10
After Padelli, along came Andrea Dossena, who was signed from Udinese following John Arne Riise’s exit in 2008.
A full Italy international at the time, Rafa Benitez signed Dossena with the intention of having him fight for a place at left-back with Fabio Aurelio.
Although Aurelio had his injury struggles, it was a battle the Brazilian would comfortably win.
Despite only managing 31 appearances for Liverpool across two years, though, Dossena still had his moments. In the space of a few days in March 2009, the full-back scored against Real Madrid and then Manchester United. For that, he will always be remembered at Anfield.
Years At Liverpool Liverpool Appearances Liverpool Goals
2 31 2
Andrea Dossena at Liverpool
Alberto Aquilani, Central Midfielder, 2009-12
Although Benitez had had little to no success with Padelli and Dossena, the Spanish coach thought it may be third time lucky with the signing of midfielder Alberto Aquilani in 2009.
Brought in to replace fan favourite Xabi Alonso, Aquilani was doomed from the start. Signed from Roma with a long-term injury, the then 25-year-old did not make his debut until the end of October.
There were highlights, and Aquilani admitted he could have stayed at Liverpool, but after just 18 Premier League appearances in his debut season, the writing was on the wall.
Aquilani left on-loan for Juventus in 2010, before another temporary move to AC Milan in 2011. After only 26 games for Liverpool, the Italy international was released in 2012.
Years At Liverpool Liverpool Appearances Liverpool Goals
3 28 2
Alberto Aquilani at Liverpool
Liverpool's Italian striker Mario Balotelli warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield
Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Fabio Borini, Striker, 2012-15
As Aquilani went out, Liverpool may have been starting to think, for whatever reason, Italian players were just not a good fit at Anfield.
Nevertheless, Brendan Rodgers thought he might succeed where Benitez had failed, and so signed Fabio Borini from Roma.
A forward who was once on Chelsea’s books, Borini had scored 10 goals in the 2011/12 campaign and knew Rodgers from their time together at Swansea. Just 21 at the time, Borini looked like a shrewd signing. Ultimately, it was anything but.
Borini got a goal on his second ever appearance for Liverpool, but scored only once more in the whole of the 2012/13 season.
A loan move to Sunderland followed, before a final season at Anfield yielded just one goal.
Years At Liverpool Liverpool Appearances Liverpool Goals
3 38 3
Fabio Borini at Liverpool
Mario Balotelli, Striker, 2014-16
By now it was clear that it simply was not working for Italian players at Liverpool. Four had tried, and four had failed.
However, when Mario Balotelli became available in the summer of 2014, the Reds felt it worth them taking the gamble on him.
Liverpool had just sold Luis Suarez and were scrambling to find any kind of replacement. Rodgers was sceptical on Balotelli, but signed him anyway for a bargain fee of £16m.
Balotelli did not have to wait too long for his first goal, but scored only three more and never looked like staying at Anfield for the long-term.
After a poor loan to Milan during the 2015/16 season, Liverpool cut their losses and Balotelli left on a free transfer.
Years At Liverpool Liverpool Appearances Liverpool Goals
2 28 4
Mario Balotelli at Liverpool
Federico Chiesa, Winger, 2024-present
Having perhaps learned their lessons, Liverpool stayed away from signing Italian players for a full decade after Balotelli.
They came close in the intervening years, notably with Federico Chiesa after his breakthrough at Fiorentina.
Liverpool would eventually sign Chiesa, but by 2024 his star was massively on the wane. Although he has become a crowd favourite at Anfield, Chiesa has failed to make the necessary impact, playing only 14 times in his debut campaign.
The 27-year-old did become the first Italian to win the Premier League title with Liverpool, and did make some small contributions across the season.
But with Chiesa expected to leave in the coming weeks, his time with the Reds cannot go down as a success. Neither can Gabriel Palletta’s, the Argentine-born Italy international who also failed to make an impression in 2006.
So, onto Leoni Liverpool go. The young man does not have a lot to live up to.
Years At Liverpool Liverpool Appearances Liverpool Goals
1* 14* 2*
Federico Chiesa at Liverpool *so far