When Giovanni Leoni could make Liverpool debut after transfer update
Liverpool are set to sign promising defender Giovanni Leoni from Italian side Parma.
The 18-year-old will become the Reds’ sixth signing of the summer as Arne Slot looks to add more depth to his defence.
Given Ibrahima Konate’s potential exit as a free agent next summer, Leoni would be a shrewd bit of business by FSG.
Leoni is viewed as one for the future by Slot, but is still set to play a part at Anfield this season.
Leoni to make his Liverpool debut in the Carabao Cup third round
Leoni could find it difficult to displace Liverpool’s experienced centre-back pairing of Virgil Van Dijk and Konate this season.
However, should Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi sign, Slot could look to rotate his backline if the pair pick up any injuries, as they have done in previous seasons.
For Leoni, he will need plenty of time to adapt to top-flight football, and the Reds will be keen for him not to pick up costly injuries, while providing him a path into the first team.
Given that the Reds will be part of plenty of cup competitions this season, they have ample opportunity to do just that.
- Leoni moved from Sampdoria to Parma just last summer
- He is a tall and strong centre back who can play in the centre or on the right of a back three
- The youngster has played 17 Serie A games for Parma
Champions League opening fixtures will offer low-risk opportunities for Leoni to feature, and so will domestic competitions.
That’s why the 18-year-old could have an opportunity to start Liverpool’s third round Carabao Cup tie later in the year.
Third round games will be played a week before the international break and will take place on 8 November and 9 November.
Slot’s opponents are not yet confirmed, having been given the usual bye into the next round.
Liverpool can now play hardball with Konate
With the arrivals of Leoni and Guehi at Anfield, the Reds can now afford to limit Konate’s gametime in favour of the pair.
Slot won’t be keen for the Frenchman to replicate what happened with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Should he limit Konate’s gametime, it could put a potential move to Real Madrid at risk and could convince the defender to sign a new contract.
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