Former Liverpool Target De Sciglio Reflects on Juventus Choice
Ex-Italy international Mattia De Sciglio has candidly discussed his pivotal decision to turn down a move to Liverpool in favour of joining Juventus back in 2017. The versatile defender, now 33 and a free agent after his contract with Empoli expired last summer, revealed that Liverpool were keen to secure his signature during a period when Jurgen Klopp was meticulously constructing what would become one of the club's most successful modern squads.
The Summer of 2017: A Crossroads in Defence
De Sciglio was attracting significant attention with his performances for AC Milan when Liverpool's interest materialised. At that time, Klopp was actively reinforcing his defensive line, which would soon become the foundation for Champions League and Premier League triumphs. The 2017/18 campaign saw Trent Alexander-Arnold emerge as a standout right-back under Klopp's guidance, while Andrew Robertson was brought in to strengthen the left flank. Most notably, Virgil van Dijk's record-breaking arrival in January 2018 completed a formidable central defensive partnership with Joel Matip.
Speaking exclusively to Calciomercato.com, De Sciglio recalled: "Liverpool also wanted me, but I chose Turin. Allegri was on the bench and the team was really strong. Finding myself in a dressing room full of champions, after also playing a key role in the European Championship, was a great revenge after the difficult period I had gone through."
Juventus Success and Subsequent Career Path
De Sciglio's decision to reunite with his former Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus proved immediately fruitful. During his tenure in Turin, he secured three Serie A championships and two Coppa Italia trophies, validating his choice with tangible silverware. After a loan spell at Lyon in 2020, he returned to Juventus before joining Empoli on loan for the 2024/25 season. However, his contract was not renewed in the summer of 2025, leaving him without a club for the past seven months.
Capable of operating on both defensive flanks, De Sciglio exemplified the adaptable talent highly prized by contemporary elite managers. Klopp, in particular, was known for his willingness to deploy players in multiple positions, a philosophy that might have suited De Sciglio's skillset perfectly. In recent years, he has transitioned to a more central defensive role, a common evolution for full-backs in the latter stages of their careers. During his solitary season with Empoli, he spent considerable time playing as a centre-back, a position where he could theoretically have partnered Van Dijk had his career taken a different trajectory.
What Might Have Been at Anfield
De Sciglio's career path would have been dramatically altered had he opted for Merseyside. With Van Dijk arriving shortly after Liverpool's interest, it remains speculative what honours he might have accumulated wearing the red shirt. Liverpool have incorporated several Italian players in recent years, including young defender Giovanni Leoni in 2025 and Federico Chiesa a year earlier, but Mario Balotelli in 2014 was the last Italian to join before that.
Currently training daily in his quest to secure a new club, De Sciglio's future remains uncertain. While a return to Liverpool seems improbable barring an unforeseen injury crisis, his reflections offer a fascinating glimpse into a transfer decision that shaped both his career and the defensive dynamics of two European giants.
