Giovanni Leoni is targeting a return for pre-season as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Liverpool supporters have only seen 81 minutes of Leoni in action, but the young defender made an immediate impression before suffering an ACL injury on his debut last September.
According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, the 19-year-old is on course to be fit for the start of pre-season.
Leoni underlined his determination on Monday by posting a photo from the entrance of the AXA Training Centre on Instagram, signalling his commitment to being involved in Andoni Iraola’s first training sessions.
The Italian centre-back joined Liverpool from Parma in a deal worth £26million and is regarded as one of the club’s brightest defensive prospects.
Comfortable in possession and capable of playing progressive passes, his qualities appear well suited to Iraola’s style of play.
Giovanni Leoni will also be expected to defend large spaces, an area where his pace should prove valuable.
With Ibrahima Konate having departed, a starting role alongside Virgil van Dijk is available, with Joe Gomez and Jeremy Jacquet among those competing for the position.
Like Leoni, Jacquet has also been recovering from injury. The 20-year-old, signed from Rennes for £60million, has been sidelined since February after undergoing shoulder surgery. Pearce reports that he, too, is expected to be available for the start of pre-season.
Asked by Ouest France if he has been given assurances over playing time, Jacquet said: “No. For me, a player shouldn’t need that. He has to prove himself on the pitch.”
While neither youngster is guaranteed a place in the starting XI, both will have the opportunity to impress Iraola, who has stated he will assess every player with a clean slate.
Liverpool’s centre-back options will receive a significant boost if both Leoni and Jacquet can complete a full pre-season programme.
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