Image Credits: Imago Images
Giovanni Leoni’s debut season at Liverpool ended before it began after the Italian suffered an ACL injury on his first appearance for Arne Slot’s side.
Arne Slot said on September 26: “He is not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL and it means he will be out for a year. Being so young and coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game… it’s very hard to take the positive side.
“There’s never a positive side – but you always try to look at a positive side and that is that he is still so young, so he has so many years still to go after he recovers from a terrible injury like that.”
Following surgery in September, he is now making significant progress and is expected to return in time for pre-season this summer.
Leoni shared a rare update on his recovery last week, posting photos on Instagram from the AXA Training Centre, including one of him working with a ball on the outdoor pitch.
He has remained close to the first-team squad throughout his rehabilitation, using the international break to make further strides toward his comeback.
Liverpool plan to ease Leoni back cautiously. With Jeremy Jacquet already signed from Rennes, both players are expected to form part of a new core of centre-backs for the 2026/27 season.
Virgil van Dijk remains the defensive leader, while hopes continue for Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract amid uncertainty over Joe Gomez’s future.
The club also strengthened their defensive options in January, signing young centre-backs Mor Talla Ndiaye and Noah Adekoya immediately, while Ifeanyi Ndukwe is set to join from Austria Wien in July.
Leoni has returned to individual training and is expected to join full team sessions by the end of April, according to Mondo Primavera. His progress will directly influence Liverpool’s summer transfer strategy.
Should Leoni confirm his recovery in May, potential moves for other defensive prospects could be scaled back, with the focus instead placed on integrating and developing the former Parma player.
Liverpool’s plan for next season hinges on Leoni’s fitness. If his knee responds well to pre-season training, he is likely to take centre stage in the Reds’ defensive setup, reducing the need for additional signings in that position.
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