Liverpool’s Giovanni Leoni: “Premier League was the best choice” | OneFootball

Giovanni Leoni has opened up about his summer move to Liverpool, revealing that despite long-standing rumors, no concrete offers arrived from Italy’s top clubs. Speaking in the second part of his interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, relayed by TMW, the 19-year-old explained why the Premier League was the right destination for him.

Notably, Leoni was a vital figure for Parma last season, leading their backline with maturity beyond his years. Indeed, his performances were instrumental in securing the club’s Serie A survival. Despite being frequently linked with the likes of Inter and Juventus during that period, he clarified that the interest never progressed beyond speculation:

“From the big Italian clubs, there were only rumors, nothing concrete. Then Liverpool arrived and it’s not possible to say no to a club like that. I felt that the Premier League was the right destination for me, for my characteristics and my growth.”

Furthermore, the defender reflected on his transition to English football, which was tragically interrupted by a season-ending ACL injury in September. Despite the setback, Leoni provided a positive update on his rehabilitation process:

“I am working hard every day to get back. The recovery is going well, and I have the support of everyone here. Seeing players like Virgil [van Dijk] and Joe [Gomez] who have returned from similar injuries gives me great strength. I want to return to playing in that magical stadium as soon as possible.”

Consequently, while his current campaign has been cut short, the Italian international remains fully focused on his recovery. Having proven his ability to lead a defense in Italy, he is now determined to return and establish himself as a key part of the Liverpool project.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN