Giovanni Leoni’s Liverpool career has so far lasted just 81 competitive minutes. Almost a year after his dream debut turned into a nightmare, however, the highly rated Italian defender is finally edging towards the moment he has spent months working for, a return to the first-team group.

The latest update is encouraging. Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola confirmed earlier this month that the plan is for Leoni to resume training with his teammates during the upcoming international break. 

Speaking on 3rd September, Iraola said: “I think the next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni. I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group.” 

Liverpool’s latest official injury update, published on 16th September, continues to list that international-break return to team training as the target. Crucially, though, the Reds are refusing to rush the 19-year-old back into competitive action. 

That patience is understandable. Leoni suffered an ACL tear on 23rd September 2025, during his Liverpool debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. He had impressed for 81 minutes before landing awkwardly near the touchline, bringing an incredibly promising first appearance to a brutal end. 

Then head coach Arne Slot subsequently confirmed the defender was facing around a year on the sidelines. 

The injury was particularly cruel given how quickly Leoni had made an impression. Liverpool signed him from Parma in August 2025 after the towering 6ft 4in centre-back emerged as one of Italy’s most exciting defensive prospects. During his final Serie A campaign with Parma, he recorded an 88.7 per cent passing accuracy while winning 63 per cent of his aerial duels. 

There have at least been positive signs throughout the summer. In August, Leoni revealed his knee was feeling “really good” after returning to individual work on the pitch, adding that he could finally see “the light at the end of the tunnel.” 

More recently, Iraola revealed Leoni is slightly ahead of fellow long-term absentee Conor Bradley in his rehabilitation. After almost 12 months of rehabilitation, Liverpool are now approaching the final stages carefully. 

Returning to group training will not automatically mean returning to the starting XI, but simply seeing Leoni back alongside his teammates would represent a significant milestone.

Liverpool fans barely had the chance to discover what their young Italian defender could become. Soon, they might finally get the opportunity.

Could you see the quality in Giovanni Leoni in the Southampton game? Leave your thoughts and comments below.