Sophie Brown, BBC Sport journalist
Giovanni Leoni had to be patient before being given a chance against Southampton but looked every bit the exciting prospect that Liverpool fans were promised, before his terrible injury cut his debut short.
He only made his senior debut in 2023, playing in the Italian third tier for Padova as a 16-year-old, but just two years later he has joined the Premier League champions.
Liverpool were looking for reinforcements in central defence after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and Leoni came in to provide extra cover in an area where the Reds were potentially light.
With Virgil van Dijk now 34, Liverpool need to have an eye on the future. Leoni, 18, certainly ticks that box but also looked ready for the now, despite only establishing himself in Parma’s starting line-up in the second half of last season.
The opportunity to develop his game with the Premier League champions and learn from Van Dijk, who he has previously called his inspiration, helped clinch the move.
His injury is a cruel blow but the Reds will hope the £26m signing can return next year and go about fulfilling his immense potential.