Liverpool signalling long term plan with Leoni

Liverpool pursue Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni as part of a long term rebuild of the back line.

Liverpool target Giovanni Leoni signals plan to strengthen defence

Liverpool are pursuing Giovanni Leoni, an 18-year-old Parma centre back, as part of a wider effort to refresh the club’s defence. Leoni, who is tall and comfortable with both feet, posted solid numbers in Serie A last season, including a 63 percent aerial win rate, 46.3 passes per 90 and an 88.7 percent pass success rate. The move sits among a group of defensive targets as Liverpool weigh options ahead of deadline day, with questions over depth at centre back following Jarell Quansah’s exit and Virgil van Dijk’s advancing age. The report also notes Liverpool’s exposure to competition from other European clubs and mentions the club’s broader window that has included other names linked to a shift in personnel and balance.

The deal reflects Liverpool’s strategy to blend youth with experience, aiming to build for the long term while meeting immediate needs. Leoni’s limited senior minutes mean a steep learning curve, but his 6ft 5in frame, physicality and ball playing ability align with a modern centre back profile. If Liverpool seal the deal, the youngster could join a growing pipeline of young defenders at Anfield as the club navigates van Dijk’s near-term decline, Konate’s contract situation, and the shifting depth chart after recent moves.

The move underscores a deliberate shift at Liverpool from quick fixes to long term planning. By targeting Leoni, the club signals that it wants a future anchor rather than a quick win. The challenge will be managing expectations around an 18-year-old who has yet to prove himself in the toughest league. For fans and analysts, the question is whether this is a pursuit driven by genuine scouting insight or a broader strategy to rebuild the spine with academy-style bets. Either way, the transfer window appears to be shaping up as a test of patience, development pathways, and the club’s ability to align its present needs with a plausible, durable future.

If the plan succeeds, Leoni could become a core part of Liverpool’s defence for years to come; if not, the focus will shift to how the club translates youth potential into Premier League resilience and depth across two or three seasons.

Highlights

Anfield’s next chapter will be written in the coming weeks with decisions that test a balance between youth and experience.