Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, but may have a star of the future in defence after landing Giovanni Leoni.
The transfer window is now closed, and Liverpool have landed their man.
Alexander Isak completed his move to Liverpool on transfer deadline day, sealing a new British record move from Newcastle United.
Isak has been pushing to leave Newcastle in recent weeks and, while Liverpool left it late, the deal is now done.
Deadline day wasn’t a total success for Liverpool, though, as Marc Guehi ended up staying at Crystal Palace.
Liverpool were close to landing Guehi on deadline day, but Oliver Glasner stood firm and blocked the defender’s exit.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesGennaro Gattuso praises Liverpool talent Giovanni Leoni
Missing out on Guehi was a major blow, but Liverpool did bring in a new centre-back in August.
Parma talent Giovanni Leoni signed for Liverpool in a deal worth around £30million, with the Reds seeing major potential in the teenager.
The 18-year-old showed enormous promise with Parma last season and has moved to Anfield after just 17 Serie A appearances.
Leoni could become a superstar for Liverpool, and his talent has been summed up by the defender earning a first senior call-up to the Italy squad.
Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso has now heaped praise on Leoni, as quoted by Tuttomercatoweb.
Gattuso has called up Bologna’s Giovanni Fabbian and Inter Milan talent Francesco Pio Esposito ahead of games against Estonia and Israel.
Gattuso suggested that he thinks Leoni has shown ‘impressive bursts of speed’ as well as ‘great personality’ early in his career.
The Liverpool talent was also hailed for shackling Romelu Lukaku last season, impressing Gattuso with his display against the Napoli striker.
“It’s hard to say whether they’re ready or not; that depends on experience and background,” said Gattuso.
“I called them up because I think Fabbian is very similar to Frattesi; he fills the penalty area well and has physicality. Pio’s qualities are unquestionable and we see them, and Leoni is the same: a young player born in 2006 with great personality and impressive bursts of speed. I didn’t give them anything; I called them up because I think they have very specific characteristics.
“When I see a player, there’s something that has to strike me. I think they’re young, but they have nerve and already play like adults. Leoni played openly with Lukaku last year, and for me, they’re ready. Maybe at our age we didn’t have the nerve they have today, and when I see that, I reward them. Of course, there’s always quality at the core,” he added.
Giovanni Leoni could land senior action after Marc Guehi decision
Leoni could have seen another defender arrive on deadline day, as Guehi came close to joining him at Anfield.
Instead, Leoni leaves deadline day as something of a winner, as he could now be in line for senior opportunities.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will continue as Liverpool’s centre-back pairing, with Joe Gomez likely remaining as third-choice.
Leoni would have been bumped to fifth-choice with Guehi’s arrival, but he is instead in line for action in cup competitions and potentially even in the Premier League, depending on injuries and suspensions.
Gattuso clearly believes that Leoni is ready for top-level action even at this early stage in his development, and he could really seize an opportunity to shine with Guehi staying at Palace.