Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is set to be proven right over Giovanni Leoni, with the Italian defender nearing a return to full training following a serious knee injury.
Leoni signed for Liverpool from Parma last summer in a deal worth around £26million, but an ACL tear has limited him to just one senior appearance.
Return date set after ACL recovery
The Italian central defender made his Liverpool debut in a Carabao Cup third round tie against Southampton on September 23, 2025, and impressed before landing awkwardly following a challenge near the touchline just over 10 minutes from time.
Leoni required treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and it was later confirmed he had suffered an ACL tear. He was expected to miss a full year of action, which has proved to be the case.
However, he has been working hard on his rehabilitation and Iraola recently confirmed that he was on course to resume first-team training around the extended autumn international break.
Iraola's plan for Leoni
Speaking before Liverpool's win over Ipswich last month, Iraola said: “I think the next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni. I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group.
“I think even Fede should be around those dates and probably Conor [Bradley], and especially Hugo [Ekitike], will go later, yes.”
In a huge boost for Liverpool, it has been reported by The Athletic that Leoni should be back in full training from October 12, following the Premier League showdown with Manchester City at Anfield.
Defensive options strengthened
Once Leoni is considered for action, he will further strengthen Iraola’s central defensive options.
Ronald Araujo, signed on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona, has settled in at right-back, helping the Reds keep clean sheets in three successive Premier League games before the international break.
Jeremy Jacquet, meanwhile, has made a solid start since arriving in the summer from Rennes, partnering Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and earning his first senior caps for the France national team where he has made a good first impression on new head coach Zinedine Zidane.
“Very good. Very, very good. Brave,” Zidane said of Jacquet after France's draw with Italy in the Nations League.
“He wasn't afraid to come out a long way. Very good in the duels. He was, once again, very good. I said it four times.”
