Giovanni Leoni says he chose to complete his ACL rehabilitation at Liverpool’s training base to build relationships with his new teammates and improve his English.
The Italian defender has thanked fans for their support over the past year as he closes in on a return to full team training this month.
Leoni suffered the serious knee injury during his Liverpool debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup in September 2025, just a month after joining from Parma for around £26m.
The 19-year-old had the option to continue his recovery in Italy but opted to remain at the AXA Training Centre.
“I stayed here [at Liverpool] since the first day until now because I wanted to do the rehab with the physios here,” Giovanni Leoni said. “Yeah [it was good] for the relationships and for the [learning of] English.
“It was the best thing to do during that period, so I decided to stay with my team-mates in Liverpool for practice, for everything.
“It was my first game at Anfield with my fans, my team-mates and I played a good game [against Southampton] and then I had the injury
“I can say now, looking back, I’m glad I made my debut In front of my fans and when I had my injury I was with Conor (Bradley) and I said: ‘This is an ACL, 100%’. And then the doctor came and I said the same thing to him because I could feel the pain and even the sound of the injury.
“But after that I received a lot of messages and support and help from the fans and looking back I can just say thank you to everyone.”
On his relationship with team-mate Bradley, who is also recovering from a long-term injury, and who was alongside him for the AXA ‘Player Portraits’ assignment, Leoni added: “Since his injury (against Arsenal in January) we have been together every day because of his rehab and we have spent a lot of time together.
“We have a good relationship and we know each other more and more, day by day. So I am really happy to have a good relationship with him.
“[Federico Chiesa] was really important for me at the beginning because I couldn’t speak English, so he helped me a lot for everything at the beginning, so I am really glad to have him.”
Leoni, who turns 20 in December, is expected to return to training this month.
Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host Manchester City, with kick-off scheduled for 4.30pm.
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