Head coach wants emotional reunion with Liverpool signing who only arrived last year

Liverpool made £450m worth of new signings last summer - but it’s fair to say we haven’t yet seen the best of most of those players.

Hugo Ekitike has scored plenty of goals - but remains streaky - while injury problems are stacking up for many of the others.

Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are currently sidelined while Jeremie Frimpong has only just got back into contention following another hamstring problem.

And the injury trouble stretches all the way back to September when Giovanni Leoni tore his ACL on debut.

Chivu wants Leoni

Signed for £26m from Parma the 19-year-old has a reputation as one of the best up-and-coming defenders in Europe. But Liverpool have been denied the chance to see the young Italian in action due to the cruel injury blow.

It is expected he will be fit for next season - and Liverpool will also have Jeremy Jacquet, Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeani Ndukwe available.

The suggestion has been floated in Calcio Mercato that Liverpool may opt to let Leoni take his first competitive steps next season on loan in Italy.

Cristian Chivu was Leoni’s coach during his final months at Parma. The Romanian has since moved on to Inter - and the Serie A giants are eyeing a defensive rebuild for next term.

Inter want loan deal for Leoni

Those plans could include a loan bid for Leoni - who is a favourite of the head coach. Inter were stunned to be beaten to the punch on Leoni by Liverpool last summer as he was a player long in their sights.

“The 2006-born central defender was one of Parma's top talents for the 2024/25 season, led in the final three months of last season and led to safety by Cristian Chivu,” the report reads.

“His season was compromised, and now, with his expected return next summer, Liverpool could decide to send him out on loan—even to Italy—to regain his playing confidence. In that case, Inter could consider revisiting him.”

Chivu may get a reunion with the centre-back after all - albeit on a temporary basis. It remains to be seen what Liverpool end up doing over Leoni - who is under contract at Anfield until 2031.

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