Liverpool centre-back Geovanni Leoni joined the Reds from Parma last summer for £26 million, but the 19-year-old’s debut campaign has hardly gone to plan.
In what was meant to be a momentous occasion for the Italian, his Liverpool debut last September against Southampton ended in heartbreak, following an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
It brought a swift end to Leoni’s first season at Anfield, but the young centre back has been working hard to return to full fitness ahead of a new campaign.
Leoni positive as recovery continues
The Italian admitted that the early stages of his recovery were some of the toughest since his injury.
However, Leoni believes he is now in a much better place, almost eleven months on from that fateful night against Southampton.
“You have a lot of bad days, more than good days at the start. Now, of course, it’s different but at the start it was tough mentally and physically.”
The young centre back is currently training alone, aiming to return to team training as soon as possible.
“Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m not with the team, but I think in a short time now I can be back with the team. Then we will see how the knee will respond and how I will feel to be back playing games.”
Having played his only game for the club at Anfield, he is ready for more occasions in front of the fans this season.
Close bonds formed with fellow injured Reds
Off the pitch, Giovanni Leoni’s adaptation to life on Merseyside has received a massive boost through his dedication to the local tongue. With his English improving rapidly thanks to regular lessons, the defender has settled down in the city and formed strong bonds across the squad.
"I think when you are in a different country, you have to speak that language—it helps you perform better on the field and in training," Leoni explains. "It’s getting much better now, and everything is easier because I can actually have a conversation with all the guys."
While he feels close with the entire dressing room, some of his strongest friendships were forged under frustrating circumstances in the medical room.
Stefan Bajcetic’s return from his 2024–25 loan spell at Las Palmas was heavily disrupted by a nagging calf injury, while severe blows to Conor Bradley (knee) and Hugo Ekitike (Achilles) ruled both out of World Cup contention, with their returns not scheduled until late this year.
Bonding through shared adversity, the quartet became an inseparable group during their recovery programs.
"To be fair, I get on with everyone," Leoni notes. "But I spend a lot of time with Hugo, Stefan, and Conor simply because we did so much of our rehab together."
“Without them I couldn’t be where I am now. So, I’m really glad to have that.
Leoni excited to play under Iraola
Such is the nature of a long-term injury suffered on debut, the Italian’s first Liverpool game was under Arne Slot, and his second will be managed by Andoni Iraola.
Leoni says that he has already spoken with Iraola about managing his injury, and ideas for how he will setup under the Spaniard.
“I spoke with him and we spoke about the injury, of course, and rehab,” says Leoni. “Then we did some analysis together to understand the way that he wants to play.
“He’s a really good coach but before [that] he is a really good person. You can speak with him and you can understand the way that he wants to play.
“I can’t wait to play under him.”
Ultimately, Giovanni Leoni is raring to get back on the pitch, focused on helping Liverpool win major honours as he aims to kickstart his Anfield career.
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