Liverpool FC finds itself at the heart of both celebration and mourning as the 2025-26 football season dawns. In a week marked by both the promise of new beginnings and the weight of profound loss, the club has officially welcomed 18-year-old Italian defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma, while simultaneously preparing to honor the memory of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, whose tragic passing has left an indelible mark on the Anfield faithful.
The signing of Giovanni Leoni, completed on August 15, 2025, signals Liverpool’s continued commitment to building for the future. The towering 6ft 4in centre-back joins the Premier League champions after passing his medical and agreeing to a long-term contract at the AXA Training Centre. The move remains subject to international clearance and a successful work permit application, but there’s little doubt that Liverpool fans are already buzzing with anticipation.
Leoni’s journey to Merseyside is nothing short of meteoric. Born in Rome, he first made waves in Italian football by making his senior professional debut for Padova in March 2023, just three months after turning sixteen. His talent was quickly recognized, leading to a loan spell at Sampdoria in Serie B during the latter half of the 2023-24 season. There, he featured in a dozen matches and even found the net once—a remarkable feat for a teenager still learning his trade.
Parma’s decision to secure Leoni’s services permanently in the summer of 2024 proved fruitful, as he went on to make 17 appearances and score a goal in the 2024-25 Serie A campaign. His performances earned him seven caps for Italy’s U19 national team, further cementing his reputation as one of the brightest young defensive prospects in Europe. Now, as he dons the number 15 shirt for Liverpool, Leoni stands on the cusp of a new adventure—one he’s eager to begin.
“I’m very happy to be here. It’s a really great sensation and I’m honoured to be here,” Leoni shared in his first official interview with Liverpoolfc.com. The excitement was palpable as he added, “Yeah, a lot [of excitement]. I’m so honoured. I was very happy [about Liverpool being interested]. When I saw this I said, ‘Wow, this is crazy.’ I’m very happy.”
Leoni’s humility and ambition shine through as he looks ahead to the challenges of English football. “I want to improve a lot with my new teammates in training and after on the pitch, in the Premier League and the Champions League,” he explained. With Liverpool’s demanding schedule and high expectations, the young defender’s desire to grow could prove vital in the months ahead. Leoni also revealed his immediate plans: “I’ll watch the game [against AFC Bournemouth at Anfield tonight] in the stadium, see the game and then after the game it’s a new journey.”
Yet, as Liverpool welcomes new talent, the club also grapples with heartbreak. At the beginning of August, the football world was stunned by the news that Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, two Portuguese brothers, lost their lives in a car accident. Diogo, who wore the number 20 shirt for Liverpool, had become a fan favorite, and the club’s response has been both swift and heartfelt.
In a gesture of deep respect, Liverpool has retired the number 20 shirt indefinitely. “No member of a team across all levels of the club would wear the number 20 out of respect,” the club confirmed after consulting with Diogo’s family. The move underscores the profound impact Diogo had on the club and its supporters.
The tributes have poured in, transforming Anfield into a sea of remembrance. Thousands of flowers, scarves, works of art, cards, banners, and even opposition jerseys have been placed outside the stadium. The area has become a focal point for collective mourning, with Liverpool’s squad, staff, friends, and family joining supporters to pay their respects. Over the course of the last week, these tributes have been carefully removed, separated, and stored. Floral tributes will be composted and used in flower beds across Anfield and the club’s training centers, while other artifacts will be recycled by specialists to help create a permanent memorial sculpture at Anfield—a future focal point for remembrance.
In the meantime, Liverpool has established a temporary area of reflection at Anfield, allowing fans and the community to continue honoring Diogo and Andre. The club’s commitment to keeping their legacy alive extends beyond physical memorials. Supporters can purchase jerseys bearing Diogo Jota’s name and number, with all profits going to the LFC Foundation. The Foundation, in turn, has pledged to create a grassroots football program in Diogo’s name, ensuring that his love for the game continues to inspire future generations.
The tributes don’t stop there. During Liverpool’s pre-season fixtures—including a double-header against Athletic Club on August 4 and matches in Asia—players’ shirts will feature a specially designed ‘Diogo J. 20’ patch. Floral tributes will also be laid before kick-off in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and at Anfield. When Liverpool’s new kits launched on August 1, players proudly displayed a ‘Forever 20’ emblem on their shirts and stadium jackets—a symbol that will remain throughout the entire season.
The main commemoration is set for the first Premier League game of the 2025-26 season, as Liverpool hosts Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15. Plans include a special fan mosaic and a minute of silence, offering a moment for the entire football community to come together in remembrance. The club’s official statement expressed “heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has taken the time, and continues to take the time, to leave tributes in honour of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at Anfield.”
As Liverpool prepares for its season opener, the atmosphere promises to be charged with emotion—a blend of hope for the future and reverence for the past. The arrival of Giovanni Leoni injects fresh energy and optimism into the squad, while the tributes to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva serve as a powerful reminder of football’s capacity to unite, heal, and inspire.
Tonight, as fans fill Anfield to witness the clash with Bournemouth, they’ll do so with heavy hearts and high hopes. A new chapter begins for Liverpool FC, marked by remembrance, resilience, and the unwavering spirit that defines the club. The journey continues, with eyes on the pitch and memories in their hearts.
