Giovanni Leoni solely made his senior debut in 2023, enjoying within the Italian third tier for Padova as a 16-year-old, however simply two years later he has joined the Premier League champions.

Liverpool have been on the lookout for reinforcements in central defence since promoting Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen final month, and though Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi stays very a lot of their sights, Leoni would supply further cowl in an space the place the Reds are probably gentle.

In any case, captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate had been their solely match senior central defenders for the Group Defend.

With Van Dijk now 34, Liverpool must have a watch on the long run. Eighteen-year-old Leoni actually ticks that field but in addition seems prepared now, regardless of solely establishing himself in Parma’s beginning line-up within the second half of final season.

With simply 14 top-flight begins underneath his belt, he has not performed as a lot as fellow extremely rated teenage centre-backs Pau Cubarsi at Barcelona, Mamadou Sarr at Strasbourg or Actual Madrid’s Dean Huijsen, however his stats are spectacular.

At 6ft 5in (1.96m) he’s distinctive within the air, rating within the high 10% for aerial duels received in Serie A final season.

At Parma, Leoni performed in the midst of the again three or as the best centre-back and, in addition to his aerial power, he’s additionally composed in possession, particularly given his lack of expertise.

He’ll in all probability should be affected person for his possibilities. However the alternative to develop his recreation with the Premier League champions and study from Van Dijk, who he has beforehand referred to as his inspiration, seems to have helped clinch the transfer.