Arne Slot aiming to get over Marc Guehi transfer blow with Liverpool's 'best in the world'
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It had all looked signed and sealed, until it wasn't.
Liverpool's transfer deadline day move for Marc Guehi was designed to bolster the Reds' back line with a Premier League proven performer, one who would both enhance the competition for the centre-back spot alongside Virgil van Dijk and perhaps improve the performances of the player currently possessing the shirt, Ibrahima Konate.
In fairness to the Frenchman he has barely put a foot wrong in the three games since Guehi failed to make the move, but given his contract impasse and occasional dip in form there are still understandable concerns.
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However, on Tuesday night supporters should get a glimpse of just why those concerns aren't too grave around the corridors of Anfield and Kirkby.
Because with the greatest respect to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Giovanni Leoni will be the Reds debutant with most eyes on him against Southampton as the 18-year-old steps out in Red for the very first time.
The first thing that strikes you about Leoni is his sheer size, with eyes immediately drawn to his 6ft 5ins frame as he warmed up during his two appearances in the matchday squad thus far against Newcastle and Atletico Madrid.
Leoni has just as big a reputation too, with 17 Serie A appearances for Parma - following previous stints in Italy's second and third tiers - all that were needed for many in a country renowned for its defenders to make their minds up on him.
"Leoni, the best defender in the world?
Looking ahead, he might be," said the former Parma defender Alessandro Lucarelli recently.
"Being the best defender in the world is tough.
His qualities are unquestionable, he has everything it takes to become a world-class player.
"Time is on his side.
Even at this age, he has shown he's one of the best young players in Europe; otherwise, Liverpool wouldn't have signed him."
Indeed, Liverpool do view Leoni very much as as one for now as well as one for the future, with the club seeing him as one of their 'elite' centre-back options for the first-team squad along with Van Dijk, Konate and Joe Gomez.
It will be the latter who is likely to partner Leoni against Southampton, and that will make for an interesting duo.
Gomez's quality has been evident over 10 years at Liverpool, when he's been on the pitch, and he will very much be the senior partner.
But Leoni is not backward in coming forward.
He relishes a physical duel and certainly has the stature for it.
Critics of the Reds' potential move for Guehi would often focus on the Crystal Palace man's stature, but that won't be an issue with the Italian.
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He looks primed for a big impact, and Tuesday night could be the start of something special.