Liverpool are looking to the future with their defensive options after completing the signing of Jeremy Jacquet on transfer deadline day.
The Frenchman will not arrive until the end of the season but already has plenty of expectation attached to him.
Jacquet joins Giovanni Leoni in becoming only the second centre-back Liverpool have signed since 2021.
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With the two players being 20 and 19 years old respectively, there is hope that they can form a partnership which will last for much of the next decade.
After suffering a serious knee injury on his first appearance for Liverpool in September, Leoni will be effectively starting from zero alongside Jacquet next season. But with Arne Slot’s defensive options so stretched, it has been revealed if the Italian could actually be back before the end of the current campaign.
Giovanni Leoni expected to return in pre-season
After months of not being heard from at all, Leoni gave an update on his condition in January.
The teenager did not hint at a timeframe for his recovery, though, with no further prognosis given since September.
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According to a report in The Athletic on Friday, there has been no change in when Liverpool expect to have Leoni back available.
It is claimed that the Reds are planning for his return in time for pre-season, which suggests that the Italian will take part in the summer friendlies.
Interestingly, it is also reported that Liverpool believe Jacquet and Leoni are two of the best young centre-backs in Europe.
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Plan emerges for Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet
As well giving an insight into his recovery timeline, The Athletic also provide some context into the long-term plan for Leoni as well as Jacquet.
They claim that Liverpool are hoping both youngsters will learn from Virgil van Dijk before ‘taking on the mantle’ once the Dutchman leaves.
Given his status as a £60m signing – and Leoni’s need to recover from a serious setback – it seems likely that Jacquet will be ahead in the pecking order during the 2026/27 season.
Should Leoni hit the ground running in pre-season and the early part of the campaign, however, perhaps he can come into contention to start alongside Van Dijk as well.
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