The issue will be, then, how Leoni transfers his game from Serie A to the Premier League, and specifically from a pragmatic style of play to a moredominant one. To his credit, Leoni was one of the better distributors for Parma last season, with 46.3 passes per 90 the third most for the Italian side of those to manage more than 10 league outings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using the same parameters, a 88.7% pass accuracy also ranked third for Parma, so he\u2019s clearly able to get the ball rolling, so to speak. Doing so for a Parma side on the backfoot is a completely different kettle of fish to a side of Liverpool\u2019s stature, however. It\u2019s part of the reason why the Reds were so keen on Guehi, the England international an expert distributor who boasts the requisite Premier League experience to successfully make the move from Palace to Liverpool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does stand out about Leoni, though, is his physical standing. Even at 18 years of age, the Italian is an absolute powerhouse with clips of Leoni outmuscling sizeable frontmen Dusan Vlahovic and Romelu Lukakuin Serie A last season a case in point. The young centre-back has the physique to adjust the rigours of Premier League with ease evident in that he managed a modest 63% aerial success rate in Serie A this season, and would come in handy when Liverpool are on the backfoot against more direct opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Able to play in a centre-back partnership or in a three-man backline, Leoni also affords Slot greater flexibility with his setup if needs must. The Reds boss may rarely line up with a three-man defence, yet it\u2019s a handy weapon in his arsenal. Nevertheless, Leoni is still incredibly raw and needs time to develop. Learning the tricks of the trade under a centre-back of Van Dijk\u2019s calibre will serve the teenage defender in fine stead and at his age, he still has time to develop, both physically, even at 6\u20195\u2019, and mentally. That he came close to committing as many fouls (11) as he made tackles (14) in Serie Alast season, further serves to show how he needs to better manage his standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, with Van Dijk now 34 and Konate out of contract next summer, and subsequently linked with a move to Real Madrid, Leoni has a huge 12 months ahead of him. Van Dijk will be 35 by the time next season starts, and his centre-back partner may have already departed for pastures new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/09212253\/player_-pitch-3-stats-2-819x1024.jpg\")
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