Giovanni Leoni arrives at Liverpool as a center-back for the future. The Italian defender joins the Premier League champions to inject youth and quality into an undermanned defense.
Who is Giovanni Leoni?
The son of water polo players, Giovanni Leoni is an Italian central defender born in Rome on December 21, 2006. He currently has a market value of €18 million. A right-footed player, he stands 196 cm tall and weighs 65 kg.
Leoni began his football career with Padova’s U-17s, signing his first-team contract on July 1, 2023. In January 2024, Sampdoria secured him on loan before completing a permanent deal at the end of the season for €1.5 million, where he became an important figure in Andrea Pirlo’s team in Serie B.
Parma later bought him in August 2024 for €4.8 million, a bold and confident move by the club’s management. His performances under Cristian Chivu were particularly impressive, especially in matches against Juventus and Napoli, where he effectively shut down opposing forwards.
Thanks to his emergence and potential, Liverpool identified him as a solution to their defensive needs. Let’s examine his playing style and how it compares to Arne Slot’s current center-backs.
A Defender Who Stands Out
Leoni’s profile shows strong numbers in shots blocked, defensive duels, and interceptions.
Where he has room to improve is in his dribbling and forward passing—he is not heavily involved in playmaking. While highly effective in defensive actions, he offers less in possession compared to most Serie A defenders. That said, he is only 18 years old and has plenty of time to develop.
His standout strength is in the air, ranking seventh among Serie A defenders for headed goals (0.07 per 90). Defensively, he excels in aerial duels won (64.52%) and shots blocked (0.77). His height (1.96m) and agility make him a commanding presence, able to clear high balls and intercept dangerous efforts.
Leoni is a very physical defender, aggressive in duels, and unafraid to step in front of his opponent to win the ball. He times interceptions well when stepping out of the box and shows remarkable maturity for his age. His reading of the game allows him to decide when to step up and when to hold his line, often dispossessing strikers in full stride.
Currently ranked 71st among Serie A defenders with an average performance score of 56/100, his lower standing is largely due to a limited sample size—just 17 matches. With more playing time, he has the potential to rank among the league’s best.
Safe but Agile
Leoni’s heatmap shows a defender fully committed in his own half. It highlights two key tendencies: he often steps high in his own half due to Parma’s aggressive defensive line, while also frequently positioning himself just in front of the penalty area to make interceptions. Usually the team’s last center-back, his composure and reliability allow him to resolve high-pressure situations for Parma.
He has primarily been deployed as a right-sided center-back (86% of matches), though he has occasionally featured at right-back (14%). Nevertheless, his profile is clearly best suited to the center-back role.
Transfer and Contract Details
Liverpool finalized the transfer of Giovanni Leoni for around €35 million, with the Roman defender signing a contract that runs until 2031. At Parma, he earned approximately €560,000 per season, and his wages at Liverpool are expected to be similar or slightly higher.
Comparison with Konaté and van Dijk
When compared to Liverpool’s two main center-backs, Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk, Leoni actually outperforms both in ball recoveries. However, he still needs to refine other areas of his game, which will come with experience and regular playing time.
Interestingly, in an interview during his Padova days, Leoni admitted that van Dijk was his football idol. Now, he will share a dressing room with him—an invaluable opportunity for mentorship.
A Substitute Who Could Surprise
Liverpool needed a young but reliable defender—someone with immediate utility but also long-term potential. Leoni fits that profile perfectly.
With confidence, patience, and minutes on the pitch, Leoni has the tools to develop into one of the world’s most prominent center-backs. The expectations at Anfield are high, but the Italian has shown the maturity and defensive intelligence to justify Liverpool’s investment.
Will he thrive in England, or will the adaptation prove difficult? Time will tell.
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