Liverpool centre-back Giovanni Leoni endured a nightmare start to his Anfield career after suffering an ACL injury on his first appearance for the club, sidelining him for almost a year.
The centre-back is now making encouraging progress in his recovery and, speaking to LFCTV, revealed he is feeling good as he reaches a crucial stage of his rehabilitation, having returned to running sessions and ball work.
However, with his recovery in the final stage, he has admitted that he is nervous for his return.
"“After a lot of months, when you had this type of injury, of course I’m going to be a little bit nervous because I didn’t play for a year or something like that. To be back playing in front of everyone, in front of the world, I’ll be a little bit nervous but it will be a [type of] nervous that will help me. It will be more excited than nervous.”"
The Italian defender's return could hardly come at a better time for Andoni Iraola, who is short of centre-backs heading into the opening weeks of the season. Joe Gomez's injury and Jérémy Jacquet's own lengthy spell on the sidelines have left the former Bournemouth boss with limited options following the departed Ibrahima Konaté.
It is reported that they have been offered the chance to sign centre-backs but the transfer committee is looking within, with signings considered more important in other positions.
With no new centre-back arrivals this summer, the Italian will have every chance to force his way into Iraola's plans once he returns to full training. Becoming a regular alongside Virgil van Dijk or a long-term partner for Jacquet should be exciting for all involved.
"“Now I feel really good. After 10 months, I’m back on the pitch alone. But I feel really good, in the last weeks I felt really good on the pitch. The knee is looking good and I'm feeling the knee really good, so I can’t wait to be back with the team as soon as possible and then come back to play games in front of the fans.
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Leoni's focus is now on returning stronger for the start of the Premier League season, where Andoni Iraola is expected to rely on the young defender across the league, Carabao Cup and Champions League campaigns.
Still only at the beginning of his career, Leoni has all the attributes to become a key figure at Anfield for years to come. His long-awaited return could mark the first step towards fulfilling that immense potential.
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