'Never seen': Giovanni Leoni claims there's one Liverpool midfielder who plays with a completely unique style

By James Brooke | Saturday, 3 January 2026

In a recent interview, Liverpool's new signing Giovanni Leoni has singled out one of the club's midfielders for possessing a truly one-of-a-kind playing style, describing it as something he's "never seen" before in his young career.[4]

The 19-year-old Italian centre-back, who joined Liverpool from Parma last summer for around £26 million, has been sidelined since September due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained on his debut in the EFL Cup against Southampton. Despite limited game time, Leoni has clearly been paying close attention to his teammates during training and from the stands.[3]

Speaking to Rousing the Kop, Leoni praised the midfielder's "completely unique style," highlighting their exceptional vision, unpredictability, and ability to dictate play in ways that stand out even among Liverpool's star-studded squad. "I've faced top teams in Serie A—Juventus, Inter, Napoli—and seen world-class players, but this guy's movement and decision-making? It's on another level," Leoni said. He noted how the player's seamless blend of defensive tenacity, creative passing, and forward surges makes them indispensable in Arne Slot's system.[1][2][4]

Leoni, a towering 6-foot-4 defender known for his aerial dominance (63% win rate in Serie A last season) and ball-playing ability (88.7% pass accuracy), relishes physical battles but admitted being mesmerized by the midfielder's finesse. "He's not just technical; it's the intelligence. He reads the game like a chess master while running at full speed."[1][2][3]

While Leoni didn't name the player outright, his description aligns closely with Liverpool's dynamic midfield options, fueling fan speculation online. The young Italian, who idolizes Virgil van Dijk and has already earned a senior Italy call-up, is targeting a return by early 2027. His endorsement underscores the depth and individuality in Liverpool's engine room as they chase silverware in the 2025-26 season.[3][6]

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