Virgil van Dijk's behavior toward Giovanni Leoni sums up Liverpool captain
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Giovanni Leoni has credited Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk for helping him through the last year after the Italian tore his ACL during his debut for the RedsGiovanni Leoni has praised Virgil van Dijk for helping him during his time on the sidelines after tearing his ACL last year(Image: Getty Images)Giovanni Leoni has said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk helped him through the last 12 months while rehabbing his torn ACL.The Italian, signed by the Reds last summer from Parma, played just once for Liverpool during the 2025/26 season, featuring in a 2-1 third-round Carabao Cup win over Southampton. The Dutchman tore his ACL during the COVID lockdown season of 2020/21 following a horror tackle from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the Merseyside derby.Van Dijk, who suffered the injury in September 2020, returned in July the following year, helping Liverpool win the FA and EFL Cups and challenge for the Premier League and Champions League.While there is no timeframe on when Leoni will return, the Italian is edging closer to getting back onto the pitch for the Reds.Speaking to Liverpool's club website, the 19-year-old said Van Dijk's support has helped him tremendously during his time on the sidelines following his torn ACL."He helped me a lot," says Leoni of Van Dijk's support.It is not just Van Dijk, however, that Leoni has credited with helping him through the dark times either.
The teenage defender also paid tribute to Liverpool supporters for being "with" him during his rehab, with Leoni thanking them for lifting his spirits."They [the supporters] have always been with me," continued Leoni.Leoni has said Virgil van Dijk helped him a lot during his time on the sidelines(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)"I can feel that we did this journey as a rehab together, because even if they didn’t see me, I received a lot of messages on Instagram, on everything. So, I’m really glad to have that."I didn’t expect that but as I told you, I’m really glad to have them and I can’t wait to give them a lot of good days and games together – to win, to do a lot of good things together."Last month, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola confirmed that, among the Reds' long-term absentees, Leoni is the closest to returning to action.
"The three that you said [Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Leoni] that are big, big injuries. I think the closest one to returning is Leoni.