Giovanni Leoni proves FSG masterclass after what he did for Liverpool vs Southampton
Giovanni Leoni starred on his Liverpool debut, but it ended in the worst way possible.
Liverpool signed Leoni from Parma in a £26million deal, to add vital cover to their centre-back department in a shrewd addition.
Leoni started Liverpool’s 2-1 Carabao Cup third-round victory over Southampton, but he did not complete the full 90 minutes.
He was stretchered off after an awkward landing after making a challenge in the 81st minute of the Anfield contest.
Giovanni Leoni was immense in Liverpool’s win over Southampton
New Liverpool star Leoni is a favourite of Italian legend Andrea Pirlo, and he proved why that is the case in the win over the Saints.
The towering defender was not overawed by the occasion of making his Reds debut at the famous stadium, in fact, he thrived under the pressure.
Leoni recorded a 7.1 Sofascore rating, and impressed on both sides of the ball against the Championship outfit.
The 18-year-old took 102 touches, the third most in the contest, and made 88 accurate passes from the 91 that he attempted.
In terms of defending, he made six clearances, three interceptions and one tackle in the contest, in a solid showing.
He also won four of the five ground duels that he contested, and all three aerial duels that he attempted, for a 100 per cent success rate in that particular aspect.
The fact that the Reds were able to pick him up for such a cheap fee, in an inflated market, is the latest example of Fenway Sports Group‘s brilliance when it comes to transfers.
Arne Slot will hope that Giovanni Leoni’s injury is not serious
Given Leoni’s showing on his debut, Slot will hope that the injury that he picked up is not a serious one.
If he is ruled out for a long period of time, it will be a huge disappointment after such an impressive performance, but more importantly, it would leave the Reds with a lack of depth at centre-back.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the obvious starters, but Joe Gomez would be the only senior back-up option if Leoni is out for months rather than weeks.
Obviously, Slot could call up academy talent such as Amara Nallo and Wellity Lucky, but that would be a huge gamble, given how high the stakes are for Slot’s side this season.
It was a masterclass from the recruitment structure to find him, for the fee that they did, but it may not matter, if he is ruled out for a significant chunk of the campaign.
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