For most Liverpool supporters, what happens at centre-back, both in the transfer market and then once the matches commence, remains the biggest question mark. Ibrahima Konaté has departed, going to Real Madrid on a free transfer, replaced by Jérémy Jacquet, joining from Stade Rennais for £60 million.
Having been handed the number 5 shirt, most expect the Frenchman to be first-choice alongside Virgil van Dijk, at least to start with.
What about below them though? Well, ahead of the start of pre-season, Joe Gomez is the only other natural central defensive option, as well as the Reds' forgotten man. Giovanni Leoni has made just one appearance for Liverpool to date, this coming in the EFL Cup last September, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Ten months later, he is continuing his rehabilitation at AXA Training Centre, with optimism that he could be back in time to feature during pre-season. Well, he would represent the archetypal "like a new signing" for new head coach Andoni Iraola, and the Italian's return could be a major boost. Ahead of getting to see him for only the second time, fans are starting to b excited.
Liverpool fans expecting big things from Giovanni Leoni
As photos have emerged of Leoni is first-team training this week, looking like he's spent all summer in the gym, Liverpool fans online are certainly building hype ahead of his return to the pitch.
- @LFCALLIN: "I predict Leoni will become the best defender in the world in a few years".
- @Raws_LFC: "Leoni just looks like he’s made for Liverpool. I have such a good feeling he and Jacquet got us locked for the next 10 years.
- @wonjwox: "Leoni x van Dijk would be a massive wall for us".
- @6thiagoat: "Leoni is a monster, he towers over everyone".
Fair to say, Liverpool supporters' optimism about Leoni's future is sky-high. Well, unless another centre-back is signed, he will likely play a key role in the season to come. The pre-season fixtures in the United States may come too soon, but there is hope that he could feature against Monaco and Como back at Anfield. So, are fans right to be excited?
Giovanni Leoni's massive potential
We know Leoni has played less than one full game since joining Liverpool, but what had he done before that? Well, after spells at Padova and Sampdoria, had made 17 appearances for Parma in Serie A, just 17 year olds at the time, which is impressive in of itself. His performances certainly caught the eye, including that of legendary former AC Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi, who wrote this in Italian sports paper Gazzetta dello Sport:
" He could thrive in the Premier League... Leoni is only eighteen, and I’m told he’s a decent guy, hard-working, humble, and very determined... ”Leoni is a modern central defender. He knows how to play man-to-man, he’s gritty, he’s physically strong, and he doesn’t let anyone move him."
Sacchi also highlighted one of Leoni's most high-profile performances, keeping Romelu Lukaku quiet during a goalless draw at Stadio Ennio Tardini. Then Italy national team manager Gennaro Gattuso also praised the teenager's "personality and impressive bursts of speed", and we could go on. Leoni has earned rave reviews from just about everyone who is anyone in Italian Calcio.
Thus, of course, he will need time to regain sharpness following such a bad injury, but fans are right to be excitied about Leoni's return.
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