Arne Slot’s Liverpool are expected to be much improved in 2026/27 after a season of transition that has been hampered by injuries.
Hugo Ekitike is out for several months after suffering a blow against PSG, while record signing Alexander Isak has been struck down by injury.
Elsewhere, Giovanni Leoni has made just one appearance since his summer move, but Liverpool have high hopes for the centre-back.
Liverpool keep Arne Slot, Xabi Alonso goes to Chelsea. How would you react? 😄😡
Liverpool have faith in Giovanni Leoni
Slot has had to rely heavily on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate to cover at centre-back this season.
Joe Gomez has been able to play a few games there, but he too has suffered with injuries and been needed at right-back as well.
However, Liverpool’s centre-back problems should be solved in the summer once new signing Jeremy Jacquet arrives and Leoni returns from injury.
Still only 19, it is not clear if the former Serie A talent will be a regular starter or not, but it is understood that Liverpool’s expectations for the stopper are high.
Speaking on the Born ‘N Red YouTube channel this week, journalist Ben Jacobs shared an insight into Leoni.
He said: “There’s big faith in Giovanni Leoni as well. So, don’t forget that. And when he comes back, I think you’ll see a bit like Mosquera at Arsenal, a real player ready made for the Premier League.
“And yet, Liverpool of course could still seek another defender.”
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Arne Slot’s praise for Giovanni Leoni
Leoni only played one game before being ruled out for the remainder of 2025/26.
But he has been working hard to get back to full strength and Slot has praised the centre-back’s development.
Speaking late last month, he said: “He [Ekitike] will be back stronger, as well as the others who have been injured for such a long time,” he said.
“If you look at Giovanni Leoni, I don’t know if you once in a while see some Instagram posts of the club, but this guy has become a beast!”
Those high hopes for Leoni may well be put to the test sooner rather than later if Ibrahima Konate does not sign a new contract and leaves for free.
His exit would leave Van Dijk as the only experienced centre-back at Anfield going into the summer, putting pressure on the former Parma man and Jacquet to step up.
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