Liverpool supporters have had to be patient to get a second glimpse of Giovanni Leoni after a promising debut for the Reds.
Having stepped in and looked incredibly comfortable during his first appearance after signing from Parma last summer, the young Italian succumbed to a devastating knee injury.
Leoni’s problem has had an unexpectedly big impact on Liverpool‘s season, with Arne Slot unable to rotate his regular centre-backs as a result.
The 19-year-old will return this summer, though, and after Slot let slip that Leoni has ‘become a beast’ during his time away, he looks set to pick up where he left off and continue his trajectory as one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe.
With Arne Slot expected to stay, will Liverpool challenge for the Premier League next season?
Or will it be another difficult campaign? 😬
Arne Slot reacts animatedly during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine).
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot kisses the Premier League trophy after the final day of the 2025/26 season at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine
Leoni has ‘become a beast’ – Slot
The most striking thing about Leoni has always been his sheer size. Standing at around 6 feet 5 inches, the teenager may yet grow to be even taller.
Built like an old-school Italian centre-back, Leoni clearly does not have an issue with physicality.
But though he was a big specimen even before joining Liverpool, Slot has claimed that the former Parma man is now noticeably bigger.
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Giovanni Leoni pictured while playing for Liverpool during their Carabao Cup match against Southampton at Anfield.
Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images
The comment came when the Dutch coach was asked about Hugo Ekitike’s recovery from his Achilles rupture during his pre-Crystal Palace press conference on Friday.
Backing Ekitike to make the most of his rehab and keep himself in good shape, Slot then threw in an interesting comment about Leoni.
“He [Ekitike] will be back stronger, as well as the others who have been injured for such a long time,” he said.
“If you look at Giovanni Leoni, I don’t know if you once in a while see some Instagram posts of the club, but this guy has become a beast!”
Leoni can still become a starter for Liverpool
As cruel as Leoni’s debut injury was, there should be hope that the Italian can recover and still fulfil his potential.
He obviously has a very good stature, and his youthfulness should mean that he is able to bounce back from such a long time away without too much trouble.
Who should Slot start up front against Crystal Palace? 🤔
Alexander Isak pictured with his arms outstretched during Liverpool's Premier League match against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Cody Gakpo reacts during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Credit: James Gill/Danehouse/Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Alongside Jeremy Jacquet, Liverpool seem to think that Leoni could form one half of their next long-term centre-back partnership, and that is a very exciting prospect.
Slot clearly rates him very highly indeed, and with Leoni likely to get a full pre-season under his belt, he should be ready to go next term.
His recovery appears to have gone as planned, and though he would have obviously preferred to have been playing, Leoni has at least had a full year to settle into life at Liverpool away from the spotlight.
Next season promising to be a big one for him, and having been robbed of watching him develop with the Reds, fans should be excited at the prospect of seeing Leoni return.
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