Giovanni Leoni’s new injury setback may accelerate Liverpool plan which fans will love

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Liverpool fans hoping to see Giovanni Leoni in the coming weeks will have been disappointed and frustrated to learn that the Italian’s return has now been pushed back. Though that isn’t necessarily a problem given the other options Iraola has available to him, it probably does mean that Liverpool really have to ramp up talks to hand Virgil van Dijk a new contract.

Virgil van Dijk’s new contract is now a no-brainer Had Leoni not been injured for the past year, there is a chance that he and Jacquet could already be showing that they are ready to take on full-time responsibility together at the back. They are certainly talented enough to do that, and it may have felt like the natural end to Van Dijk’s time at the club as his contract ends in 2027.

Securing Van Dijk’s future is the best way to do that. Liverpool’s centre-back options for next season are clear Looking ahead to 2027/28 with and without Van Dijk, and it is even more clear that Liverpool have to tie their captain down.