Liverpool supporters spent much of the summer worrying about the centre-back position.
Now?
I’m not sure we need to worry quite so much.
In fact, Andoni Iraola could soon have the opposite problem.
Who actually plays?
Virgil van Dijk has been outstanding.
Jérémy Jacquet has looked increasingly comfortable alongside him.
Ronald Araújo can play at centre-back but has also made a strong case for himself at right-back.
And Giovanni Leoni is finally getting close to a return.
According to The Athletic’s Gregg Evans, Leoni is expected to return to full training this month, most likely in the week commencing October 12.
After more than a year out with an ACL injury, that is brilliant news.
It also gives Iraola a very interesting selection problem.
Van Dijk isn’t going anywhere
For me, Van Dijk is still the first name on the teamsheet at centre-back.
He’s the captain and the leader, while Liverpool’s recent defensive improvement has been particularly encouraging, with him and Jacquet developing an understanding at the heart of the defence.
If Van Dijk is fit, he plays the big games.
The interesting question is who lines up alongside him.
Jacquet has given Iraola a decision
I was excited about Jacquet before he had properly played for Liverpool.
I’m even more excited now.
The £60m signing arrived with plenty of expectation, but he has handled the pressure well and helped Liverpool put together a much more settled defence. His performances have also earned praise from Van Dijk.
That changes the situation for Leoni.
When Leoni was injured, Liverpool didn’t really know what they had. Now Jacquet has established himself, Leoni doesn’t need to return and immediately prove he’s better.
He just needs to get fit and start his Liverpool career properly.
And Araújo isn’t making things easy
Liverpool brought Araújo in from Barcelona when the defence was short of options, partly to add experience and flexibility.
He has done exactly that.
Araújo can play centre-back, but we’ve also seen him used at right-back, where his defensive qualities have given Liverpool another option. His versatility was one reason Liverpool wanted him in the first place.
That could become particularly useful once Leoni returns.
Rather than automatically moving Araújo into the middle, Iraola can leave him at right-back and give someone else a chance at centre-back.
That is a significant change from the situation Liverpool faced a few months ago.
Then Leoni comes back
Leoni has played just 81 minutes of competitive football for Liverpool.
That’s it.
He made his debut against Southampton in September 2025 and suffered his ACL injury during that game, so we still don’t know what he is going to become at Liverpool.
And I’m perfectly happy with that.
I don’t want ridiculous expectations placed on him before he’s properly recovered. Let him train, regain his confidence and play some Under-21 football if that’s what Liverpool decide is best.
Reports say Leoni has remained on Merseyside during his rehabilitation, using the time to build relationships with Liverpool’s staff and improve his English.
He’s also still only 19.
There is plenty of time.
I wouldn’t rush Leoni for anyone
Just because Liverpool have more defensive options doesn’t mean Leoni should be thrown straight into the team.
He’s been out for over a year, which is a long time for any footballer, never mind a 19-year-old still adapting to a new club and league.
Liverpool have to be patient.
If that means Leoni doesn’t make his first Premier League start until November or later, so be it.
I’d much rather see him properly fit in January than watch him return too quickly and suffer another setback.
But imagine the competition
Think about that group when everyone is available.
Van Dijk.
Jacquet.
Leoni.
Araújo.
Then you’ve got Joe Gomez as another experienced option who can cover several positions.
Liverpool’s defensive options were a concern when injuries hit Jacquet, Leoni and Gomez, which was one reason the club brought Araújo in on loan.
Now the picture is changing.
Jacquet and Leoni could potentially become Liverpool’s long-term centre-back pairing. Van Dijk offers experience, Araújo brings physicality and versatility, and Gomez provides further cover.
That isn’t a defensive crisis.
That’s a manager having choices.
And honestly, Iraola could do with a few more problems like this.
Liverpool have spent huge money rebuilding their attack, but the defence is quietly becoming one of the most interesting parts of this team.
The three consecutive Premier League clean sheets earlier in the season weren’t a fluke. There is something starting to develop there.
I can’t wait to see Leoni, not because I expect him to walk straight into the starting XI, but because I want to finally see the player Liverpool were so excited to sign from Parma.
And if he turns out to be as good as Liverpool believe he can be?
Well, centre-back suddenly becomes one of the easiest positions for Iraola to rotate.
That’s a brilliant problem to have.
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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