Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni "can't wait to play" under new boss Andoni Iraola as the Italian nears a return from injury.

Leoni joined the Reds last summer from Parma for a reported £26.6m (€31m), but made just one appearance due to suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in September.

The 19-year-old is still recovering from the injury, but has returned to the pitch as he starts individual training on grass.

The centre-back revealed he has held positive talks with Iraola and is excited to play under the Spaniard.

"I spoke with him, and we spoke about the injury, of course, and rehab," Leoni told the club website.

"Then we did some analysis together to understand the way that he wants to play.

"He's a really good coach, but before [that], he is a really good person. You can speak with him, and you can understand the way that he wants to play.

"I can't wait to play under him."

“Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Read our in-depth interview with Giovanni Leoni 

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 5, 2026

Liverpool endured a disappointing campaign in 2025-26, finishing fifth in the Premier League as they failed to defend their title.

They were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain, while they lost to Manchester City and Crystal Palace in the FA Cup and EFL Cup respectively.

Leoni is determined to help the Reds do better this season, with his focus very much on winning silverware.

"The goals are always the same as last year," added the teenager.

"The thing is that I want to be back and win as many games as possible, win as many trophies as possible. The goals are more as a team than as an individual."

Liverpool begin their 2026-27 league campaign against Newcastle United on August 23, while their first home game comes six days later against Nottingham Forest.