Liverpool are on the cusp of welcoming back Giovanni Leoni, a sensational young centre-back who has been out since suffering a serious knee injury in his debut season.
Andoni Iraola is currently working with a squad that has undergone significant changes over the summer. The Reds are without a number of key players who featured at the World Cup, including Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson.
Liverpool's decision not to replace these players has left a significant void, particularly in the centre-back position. However, the impending return of Leoni could be a major boost to the squad.
Leoni's injury has kept him out for the vast majority of the campaign, but James Pearce reports that he is 'not far off' getting back to football. A return to action could be imminent, and it would be a significant boost to the Reds' centre-back options.
Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Jeremy Jacquet are set to be the centre-back options for Liverpool this season, but Leoni's impending return would add a new dimension to the squad. The Reds reportedly believe he is one of the best young centre-backs in world football, and a breakout campaign could be on the horizon.
Liverpool's pre-season tour is ongoing, with Andoni Iraola still getting to know his new squad. However, the head coach will be eager to see Leoni return to action as soon as possible, as it would give him a much clearer idea of what he has to work with this season.
The Reds are facing an uphill struggle to replace the likes of Salah, Konate, and Robertson, but the return of Leoni could be a major turning point in their season. With Leoni potentially set to join the squad in the coming weeks, Liverpool fans will be eagerly awaiting his return to action.
Source: Yahoo Sports
