Director surprised ‘Liverpool never called me’ | OneFootball

Leoni’s rapid rise in Italy

Liverpool’s long-term defensive planning has taken shape with the acquisition of Giovanni Leoni, the 18-year-old centre-back signed from Parma for £26 million this summer. The decision reflects a strategic move towards succession planning as Virgil van Dijk, now 34, enters the latter stages of his career.

Leoni emerged as one of the standout young defenders in Serie A last season. Despite his tender age, he played a pivotal role in helping Parma consolidate their top-flight status following promotion. His assured display in a goalless draw against Napoli — where he nullified the threat of Romelu Lukaku — underlined his ability to perform against elite forwards.

Parma had recognised Leoni’s potential early, accelerating his pathway into senior football. The move to Liverpool comes earlier than many expected, but his development in Italy positioned him as a player ready to make the transition to a higher level.

Comparisons with Van Dijk

Van Dijk has been central to Liverpool’s modern success, anchoring a defence that has lifted seven major trophies since his 2018 arrival from Southampton. Inevitably, attention has turned towards identifying the Dutchman’s successor, and those who know Leoni well believe he could step into that role.

Martin Semmens, formerly of Parma and Southampton, was among those who helped bring Leoni to Serie A. Speaking recently, he described the defender as “the best young centre-back in Italy, if not Europe,” and expressed confidence that Liverpool had secured a player capable of one day filling Van Dijk’s shoes.

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Semmens revealed that while several Premier League clubs had sought his view on Leoni, Liverpool never approached him. Instead, their scouting department acted decisively, underlining the faith they had in their internal assessments.

Why Liverpool moved quickly

The Reds’ recruitment model has long prioritised identifying undervalued talent before rivals act. In Leoni’s case, the blend of physicality, composure on the ball, and maturity beyond his years persuaded the club to invest significantly.

Semmens recounted how Leoni stood up to Lukaku in Naples, noting: “He just knocked him over. I’d spent years watching strikers like Lukaku dominate centre-backs, but Leoni could handle it. That told me he was a top player.”

Liverpool’s willingness to commit such a substantial fee to a teenager reflects both their confidence in his ceiling and the market’s demand for elite defenders. While it remains uncertain how much first-team football Leoni will see this season, his signing positions the club strongly for the future.

Future at Anfield

The pathway for Leoni may require patience, particularly with Liverpool still boasting an established back line. Yet the parallels with Van Dijk are difficult to ignore: both defenders exude authority, relish physical battles, and provide assurance to those around them.

For Liverpool, Leoni represents more than a signing for today. He is part of the next chapter — a statement that the club is already preparing for life after one of its greatest defensive leaders. Whether he can ultimately reach those heights remains to be seen, but the belief in his potential is unmistakable.